Director Optical Engineer Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

LightPath Technologies, Inc. is a leading global provider of precision optics and photonics solutions, serving defense, aerospace, medical, and industrial markets. With decades of expertise and a strong culture of innovation, LightPath designs and manufactures advanced optical components and systems that power some of the world’s most demanding applications. We offer a collaborative, technology-driven environment, opportunities to work on cutting-edge programs, and a comprehensive benefits package that supports our employees’ health, growth, and work-life balance.

We are currently looking for a Systems Engineering Manager for our Zooms division to join our team onsite in our Orlando, FL office. We offer a 9/80 work schedule and foster a professional, high-energy culture where employees are empowered to succeed.

The Systems Engineering Manager leads system-level development and commercialization of long wave infrared zoom lens assemblies, guiding products from prototype designs through production release. This role is the integration authority ensuring that optical, mechanical, electronic, and coating subsystems function together to meet performance, reliability, and manufacturability targets. 

The position manages a focused multidisciplinary team including electrical engineers responsible for motor control and embedded firmware, and a coatings engineer. The Systems Engineering Manager works in close partnership with peers in Optical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Test. 

• Own system-level architecture for long wave IR zoom lens assemblies, integrating optics, opto-mechanics, actuators, electronics, firmware, and optical coatings into a cohesive, manufacturable product. 
• Define and manage system-level performance budgets including image quality, motion accuracy, environmental stability, and reliability across operating temperature ranges. 
• Translate initial designs into manufacturable assemblies, establishing alignment strategies, calibration methods, and assembly process flows. 
• Oversee development of zoom and focus actuation systems including motor selection, drive electronics, feedback sensors, and position control loop implementation. 
• Guide embedded firmware development for lens position control, communication interfaces, and field calibration routines. 
• Manage coating specifications for IR optical elements 
• Lead system verification and validation definition including optical performance testing, environmental qualification, and reliability evaluation. 
• Conduct root-cause analysis and corrective action for system-level performance issues during development and early production. 
• Establish clear goals and development plans; provide technical mentorship and performance feedback. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

Required 

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or closely related field. 
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience developing complex opto-mechanical or electro-optical systems. 
• Solid grounding in systems engineering practice: requirements decomposition, design trade studies, interface definition, and verification/validation planning. 
• Demonstrated experience integrating optical assemblies with precision motion control and embedded electronics. 
• Working knowledge of IR optical system considerations including athermalization, stray light baffling, alignment and calibration strategies, and environmental stability. 
• Ability to read and critically evaluate opto-mechanical designs and optical prescriptions; fluency with tolerance analysis concepts. 
• Strong cross-functional leadership and written/verbal communication skills; able to drive alignment across engineering peers without direct authority. 
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and eligible for required U.S. Government export authorizations (ITAR). 

Preferred 

• Hands-on experience with infrared imaging systems, IR zoom lens design, or athermalized IR assemblies. 
• Background in opto-mechanical design or direct experience performing mechanical design and analysis of IR lens systems. 
• Experience developing or specifying embedded control software for motorized lens systems. 
• Familiarity with optical coatings processes for IR wavelengths (MWIR, LWIR). 
• Experience in a vertically integrated manufacturing environment.