Neurophos

Neurophos

Principal Optomechanical Design Engineer

Austin, Texas · Principal · Full-time

Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 64 days ago
SolidWorksCreoThermal AnalysisGD&TSystems EngineeringMechanical DesignElectrical EngineeringTolerance AnalysisFiber Optics

About the role

  • The optomechanical team is responsible for the physical design and integration of the OPU's free-space optical path, fiber-coupled subsystems, and photonic packaging.
  • San Jose, CA or Austin, TX.
  • Full-time onsite position.

Responsibilities

  • Define and own the end-to-end opto-mechanical architecture for the OPU, spanning free-space optical paths, fiber-coupled subsystems, and photonic chip packaging.
  • Lead tolerance analysis (RSS/Monte Carlo) and develop opto-mechanical error budgets for wavefront quality, pointing stability, throughput, and fiber coupling efficiency.
  • Design precision mechanical assemblies for beam-shaping, collimation, polarization management, and alignment of free-space optical elements.
  • Develop packaging and integration strategies for single-mode and polarization-maintaining fiber assemblies, including active and passive alignment approaches.
  • Drive design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) practices to ensure repeatable, cost-effective production of precision optical subsystems.
  • Own environmental qualification of opto-mechanical assemblies, including vibration, thermal cycling, shock, and long-term stability testing.
  • Develop and maintain CAD models, GD&T drawings, and engineering documentation
  • partner with vendors and contract manufacturers to qualify precision components.
  • Act as the company-wide opto-mechanical authority, ensuring mechanical design requirements are treated as P0 across all photonic and optical subsystems.
  • Represent opto-mechanical design in system reviews, own relevant sections of system requirements documents, and communicate status and risk to technical and executive audiences.

Requirements

  • Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks or CREO) and GD&T
  • experience with optical analysis tools (Zemax/OpticStudio or equivalent) to support tolerance studies.
  • This is the precision mechanical backbone that enables our optical processing engine to operate within the exacting tolerances required for analog compute.
  • 10+ years of hands-on opto-mechanical design experience, with a demonstrated track record of taking precision optical systems from concept through volume production.
  • Deep expertise in free-space optical system design, including beam shaping, collimation, spatial light modulator integration, and interferometric layouts.
  • Strong background in photonic packaging and fiber optic integration - PM fiber, FAU, and active alignment.
  • Proven ability to influence optical, photonic, and electrical design across disciplines to ensure system-level alignment and mechanical integrity.
  • Strong communicator, able to convey complex opto-mechanical concepts to both technical and executive audiences.

Nice to have

  • PhD or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline (PhD preferred).
  • Solid understanding of material selection for opto-mechanical stability and thermal management
  • experience with precision flexure mechanisms and kinematic mounts is a strong plus.
  • Prior experience in a fast-moving startup environment is a strong plus.

Benefits

  • 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions.
  • Unlimited PTO.
  • No rigid vacation banks, just a focus on delivery.
  • 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities to ensure our success is your success.
  • Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.
  • Personalized Benefits.

Company info

  • Work on game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative, brilliant team.
  • At Neurophos, we offer:

This listing is sourced directly from Neurophos's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.