Mid Level Conservation Pilot Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Santa Clara, CA (Onsite)

We are seeking a hands-on, mid-level Opto-Mechanical Engineer to help design, build, align, test, and productize next-generation spectroscopy platforms and gas measurement products.

Picarro's products deliver real-time measurements of critical gases at parts-per-billion and parts-per-trillion levels. As an Opto-Mechanical Engineer II, you will join a world-class team developing high-precision systems based on Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS), broadband lasers, and advanced optomechanical assemblies. This role is intended for an engineer who can contribute independently to defined design, build, test, and troubleshooting activities while continuing to grow into broader technical ownership. The position reports to the Director of Opto-Mechanical Engineering.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a practical, hands-on engineer with solid fundamentals in mechanical design, optical alignment, precision assembly, and experimental troubleshooting. They are comfortable working in the lab, building and debugging complex electro-optomechanical systems, and using data to drive design and process improvements. This individual can own well-scoped technical tasks, collaborate effectively with senior engineers, technicians, manufacturing, and suppliers, and communicate findings clearly. The right person is curious, detail-oriented, and motivated to develop manufacturable, reliable, high-performance products at the intersection of optics, mechanics, electronics, and spectroscopy.

Contribute to the design, build, integration, and transfer of advanced electro-optomechanical systems for Picarro's next-generation CRDS products. Support prototype and pilot builds, develop and refine assembly and alignment processes, create practical tooling and fixtures, document procedures, troubleshoot build and test issues, and work with cross-functional teams to improve performance, manufacturability, reliability, and yield.

Technical Expertise:

• Hands-On Opto-Mechanical Engineering: Build, align, test, and troubleshoot high-precision optomechanical assemblies while contributing to design improvements and process development.
• Optical Component Expertise: Work with near-infrared optical components such as lasers, detectors, isolators, fiber components, mirrors, lenses, filters, and coated optics.
• Precision Design and Alignment: Apply sound mechanical design, tolerancing, materials selection, and active/passive alignment methods to maintain micron-level precision and optical stability.
• Attachment and Packaging Techniques: Use or develop optical attachment and packaging methods, including UV/thermal epoxies, soldering, clamping, precision fixturing, and other approaches that improve manufacturability and reliability.
• Test, Reliability, and Root Cause Analysis: Plan and execute engineering tests, collect and analyze data, support reliability testing, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• CRDS and Spectroscopy Systems: Develop deeper understanding of CRDS instruments, laser-based spectroscopy, and the interaction between optical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software subsystems.
• Tooling and Fixture Development: Design, build, qualify, and improve tooling, fixtures, and lab setups for prototype assembly, optical alignment, test, and pilot production support.
• Documentation and Technical Standards: Create clear drawings, work instructions, test procedures, build records, and engineering documentation that support repeatability, transfer, and continuous improvement.

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field; MS preferred.
• Typically 3-5 years of hands-on experience in opto-mechanical design, precision mechanical design, optical instrumentation, prototype development, or related hardware engineering.
• Demonstrated experience designing, assembling, aligning, and troubleshooting systems that combine optical, mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software subsystems.
• Proficiency with mechanical CAD tools such as SolidWorks and ability to create practical designs, drawings, assemblies, fixtures, and test hardware.
• Working knowledge of precision tolerancing, materials selection, GD&T, metrology, and mechanical design practices for optical systems.
• Strong analytical troubleshooting skills, with the ability to use experimental data to isolate problems and recommend design or process improvements.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and documentation skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced development environment.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, pilot builds, manufacturing transfer, or early production troubleshooting is strongly desired.

• Experience with CRDS, laser-based spectroscopy, fiber optics, micro-optics, precision optical benches, or high-stability optomechanical assemblies.
• Experience with environmental testing, reliability testing, failure analysis, process validation, or design for manufacturability.
• Experience with optical design or analysis tools, FEA, tolerance analysis, scripting for data analysis, or automated test systems.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $135K to $150K. Our total compensation packages includes base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity. Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualifications, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. atdisabilityassistance@picarro.comfor assistance.