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Alcon Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate ... As an Opto-Mechanical Engineer supporting Surgical Instrumentation Research & Development, you will ...

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate ... As a Sr. Associate Controls Engineer supporting the U.S. MTO Team in Johns Creek, GA, a typical day ...

Principal FPGA Image Pipeline Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$150K - $183K/yr

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate ... As a Principal FPGA Image Pipeline Engineer supporting Research & Development of Alcon's Surgical ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer I

Belmont, CA · On-site

$90K - $151K/yr

Alcon is looking to hire a Senior Mechanical Engineer I. This role is responsible for developing ... optimizing, and sustaining precision machining processes for ophthalmic optical lenses using ultra ...

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Alcon Engineer information

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$24K

$108K

$172K

How much do alcon engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for alcon engineer in the United States is $107,956.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $133,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does Alcon stand for?

Alcon is a global company specializing in eye care products, including surgical and vision care solutions. The name does not stand for an acronym but is derived from the company's focus on eye health and innovation. As an employer, working at Alcon may involve technical skills related to medical devices and healthcare environments.

What does Alcon mean in an email?

In the context of an Alcon Engineer, the term 'Alcon' typically refers to the company Alcon, a global leader in eye care products. If you see 'Alcon' in an email, it likely indicates communication related to the company or its operations, which may involve technical discussions, project updates, or collaboration within the eye care industry.

What does the Alcon company do?

Alcon is a global medical company that specializes in eye care products, including surgical equipment, contact lenses, and ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. An Alcon engineer typically works on developing, manufacturing, or testing these products to improve eye health and vision correction. The company emphasizes quality standards and often requires technical skills and knowledge of medical device regulations.

What is the difference between Alcon Engineer vs Optometry Engineer?

AspectAlcon EngineerOptometry Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, relevant certificationsBachelor's in Optometry or related field, licensing
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, R&D, medical device developmentClinical settings, eye care clinics, research
Employer & IndustryAlcon, medical device and ophthalmic industryOptometry clinics, healthcare providers

Alcon Engineers focus on designing and developing ophthalmic products and medical devices, working mainly in manufacturing and R&D environments. In contrast, Optometry Engineers are involved in clinical applications, supporting eye care services. Both roles require specialized engineering knowledge but serve different aspects of eye health and technology.

What are Alcon Engineers?

Alcon Engineers are professionals who work with Alcon, a global medical company specializing in eye care products and surgical equipment. These engineers may be involved in designing, developing, maintaining, or improving ophthalmic devices, such as surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, and vision care technologies. Their responsibilities can include research and development, product testing, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Alcon Engineers often collaborate with healthcare professionals to innovate solutions that enhance patient outcomes. They play a vital role in advancing the field of eye care technology.

Who owns Alcon now?

Alcon is a global ophthalmic company that was acquired by Novartis in 2010. In 2019, Novartis spun off Alcon as an independent, publicly traded company, so it is now owned by its shareholders. As an engineer working at Alcon, understanding its ownership structure can be relevant for corporate and compliance considerations.

What are some common challenges Alcon Engineers face when working on cross-functional teams?

Alcon Engineers often collaborate with professionals from various departments, such as R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication and alignment of project goals, as each team may have different priorities and technical languages. Navigating regulatory requirements and integrating feedback from multiple stakeholders can also be complex. Proactively building strong relationships and remaining adaptable are key to overcoming these challenges and driving successful project outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Alcon Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Alcon Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, problem-solving, and experience with medical device manufacturing processes, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with technical tools like CAD software, quality management systems, and regulatory compliance certifications such as ISO 13485 is essential. Strong communication, teamwork, and attention to detail are vital soft skills for collaborating across departments and ensuring product quality. These skills are crucial for maintaining high standards in medical device development, ensuring patient safety, and meeting regulatory requirements.
Infographic showing various Alcon Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,956 per year, or $51.9 per hour.
Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Alcon

Lake Forest, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Alcon rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 65 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

163rd of 518 rated manufacturers


Job description

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you'll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers.
We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon. As an Opto-Mechanical Engineer supporting Surgical Instrumentation Research & Development, you will be trusted to support engineering teams with research, data analysis, and system design related to opto-mechanical engineering.
In this role, a typical day will include:
  • Applying in-depth knowledge of Opto-Mechanical Engineering in Ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization surgical instrumentation domain as SME across a range of engineering disciplines including Mechanical Design, Opto-mechanics, Material Science, Precision Machining, Imaging, Illumination, Microscope and Optical Systems Design.
  • Performing Opto-mechanical design including lens barrel and lens housing design, lens bonding and mounting techniques, and opto-mechanical analysis including thermal, environmental, shock & vibration, system integration and stability tolerance study.
  • Conducting design, research, development, and process upscaling for new medical device products.
  • Investigating and evaluating existing technology and designs new methodology, materials, machines, or processes as needed for Ophthalmic medical device development.
  • Designing, assembling, alignment, measurement, testing, analysis, and troubleshooting of diagnostics and visualization devices.
  • Understanding operation principles for optomechanical and electromechanical actuators and sensors and integrating these within complex sub-systems.
  • Generating detailed parts fabrication drawings including GD&T and tolerance analysis.
  • Supporting medical device development activities such as prototyping, testing, pilot builds, V&V, risk assessment, and ramp-up to production release.
  • Supporting all aspects of documentation and design control through Public Electronic Communications Network (PECN), Engineering Change Notice (ECN), Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform (Windchill).
  • Developing assembling and alignment fixtures for prototype fabrication and creating associated manufacturing assembling (MAP) and manufacturing testing processes (MTP).
  • Supporting concurrent engineering activities, design control and transition to manufacturing.
  • Working effectively with cross-functional development teams including Optics, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, QA, Industrial Design and Manufacturing functions.

This position can be offered at a higher level (Sr. Engineer) and compensation range, depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications
WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO ALCON:
  • Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +8 yrs; Assoc.+4 yrs)
  • The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
  • Domain knowledge in Optics, Opto-mechanics, precision manufacturing techniques, imaging, illumination and visualization.
  • Industry standard tools and methods for optical, mechanical and optomechanical engineering are essential.
  • Optical and Optomechanical metrology and testing practices.
  • Vendor and supplier management for optical components, complex sub-systems, or OEM.
  • Team player/collaboration aptitude with strong sense of accountability and perseverance to drive projects through to completion.
  • Proficiency in CREO (Pro-E), SolidWorks, or Equivalent CAD skills (CREO preferred) in PLM or Windchill environment.
  • Strong background with design and development of Imaging systems such as Microscope, Eyepiece, telescope, zoom lens as well as ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization devices.
  • Proficiency in opto-mechanical system design, optical alignment technology, tolerance analysis, material selection, design for thermalization, bonding and assembly processes.
  • Knowledge on optical design tools such as ZEMAX and familiar with optical/mechanical design integrating process.
  • In-depth ophthalmic domain knowledge (Cataract, Vit-Ret, Refractive Surgery, or Diagnostics).
  • Proficient in Failure Mode Effects Analysis and Risk Management application to medical devices.
  • Sponsorship available: No

HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON:
  • Join Alcon's mission to provide top-tier, innovative products and solutions to enhance sight & enhance lives.
  • Grow your career in a highly collaborative and diverse environment.
  • Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, paid time off, and much more!

Alcon Careers
See your impact at alcon.com.careers
ATTENTION: Current Alcon Employee/Contingent Worker
If you are currently an active employee/contingent worker at Alcon, please click the appropriate link below to apply on the Internal Career site.
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Total Rewards
Alcon's Total Rewards programs are designed to align to incentives with business goals, encourage the right values and behaviors, and deliver long-term value. The first layer of our rewards program is compensation. We offer a combination of fixed pay and variable pay, which includes short-term incentives, and long-term incentives for eligible population. Our benefits program provides security for life events through life and disability insurance, supports savings for retirement, promotes good health and well-being and supports associates and their families during times of illness. To learn more about Alcon's Corporate Social Responsibility including our Total Rewards, click here
The salary range posted represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, and internal equity, and may fall outside the posted range.
Pay Range
79,900.00 - 103,400.00
Pay Frequency
Annual
Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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