Job Title: Optical Engineer

Hiring Window: 04/2026 – 08/2026

Location: Austin, TX

Job Type: Full‑time, onsite

Experience: A minimum of 3+ years of experience working in high‑precision mechanical design, opto‑mechanical engineering, laser systems, or related fields.

Compensation: Base Salary: $90k – $120k + Bonus, depending on experience

Eligibility Requirement:

US Citizenship or Permanent Residency is required.

About TransWave Photonics:

TransWave Photonics is an advanced photonics technology company focused on developing next‑generation high‑power laser systems, high‑power LED arrays, and integrated photonic solutions. We combine optical, mechanical, and electronics expertise to deliver robust, high‑performance products for industrial, defense, and scientific applications. Our team values innovation, hands‑on engineering, and collaborative problem‑solving.

Summary

We are seeking an Optical Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced optical components and photonic subsystems for high‑power laser and LED platforms. This role requires strong proficiency in Zemax, deep experience in lens design from concept to manufacturing, and hands‑on optical characterization. Candidates should have a strong command of semiconductor laser/LED device physics and demonstrated experience characterizing high‑power optical sources.

Responsibilities

· Perform advanced optical design and simulation using Zemax, including imaging systems, non‑imaging optics, mini lens arrays, illumination optics, and beam‑shaping modules.

· Own the full optical design lifecycle: initial design, tolerance analysis, prototype fabrication, vendor communication, metrology, and performance validation.

· Design and optimize fiber‑coupling optics for high‑power semiconductor lasers and LED sources, including alignment strategies and coupling efficiency optimization.

· Develop beam‑combining architectures for high‑power or multi‑emitter systems.

· Characterize high‑power semiconductor lasers and LEDs, including L‑I‑V curves, near‑field/far‑field measurements, spectral analysis, thermal behavior, and beam‑quality metrics.

· Apply mid‑ to advanced‑level device physics to guide optical design choices, interpret measurements, and assess device‑level performance limits.

· Work closely with mechanical, electronics, and manufacturing teams to ensure robust opto‑mechanical integration and manufacturability.

· Support prototyping, test setup design, optical alignment, troubleshooting, and transition to production.

· Prepare optical documentation including specifications, test procedures, tolerancing reports, and manufacturing packages.

Required Experience / Capability

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Optics, Physics, Photonics, EE (photonics focus), or related field.

· Strong proficiency with Zemax (OpticStudio), including tolerancing, optimization, non‑sequential modeling, and stray‑light considerations.

· Hands‑on experience designing lenses or optical assemblies that have been manufactured and tested (prototype or production).

· Experience designing mini lens arrays, illumination optics, or beam‑shaping elements for the near-IR and mid-IR spectral ranges.

· Demonstrated ability to characterize high‑power semiconductor lasers or LEDs.

· Solid understanding of device physics for LEDs and laser diodes (recombination mechanisms, thermal effects, cavity dynamics, optical confinement, etc.).

· Proficiency with optical metrology tools: beam profilers, spectrometers, optical power meters, goniometers, interferometers, or imaging systems.

· Strong analytical skills in geometrical and physical optics.

· Effective collaboration with cross‑disciplinary teams, including mechanical, electronics, and manufacturing.

· Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple development tasks.

Additional Desired Experience / Capability

· MATLAB or Python for optical data analysis and simulation.

· Experience with stray‑light analysis or illumination system design.

· Understanding of high‑power laser safety, thermal management, and reliability considerations.

· Experience with vendor interfaces for custom lens fabrication or specialty optical components.

· Experience with LED packaging, optical coatings, or micro‑optics fabrication processes.

· Familiarity with MIL‑STD environmental or ruggedization requirements.

· Experience with interferometric testing or wavefront analysis.

· Experience with diffractive optical elements (DOEs), microlens arrays, or freeform optics.

Benefits:

· Flexible PTO bank

· Medical Insurance

· Dental Insurance

· Parental Leave

· Retirement Plan Matching

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan

Application Question(s):

• Are you U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident?

Experience:

• Zemax: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person