Optical Simulation Engineer Jobs in North Carolina

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Principal Electrical Engineer to join our R&D Electrical Engineering team and contribute to the development of next-generation medical devices and applications. Projects span a broad range of technologies, including complex laser and optical delivery systems, ultrasound, and radio-frequency (RF) devices. This position will play a key role in developing sophisticated electronic systems that power these products and supporting their successful transition from concept through commercialization.

The engineer will serve as a technical resource for power supply, sensor interface, analog, and digital circuit design, working closely with cross-functional teams including Mechanical, Optical, Software, Clinical, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Operate with the highest level of independence to drive complex technical issues to resolution and establish the technical direction for the R&D department.
• Articulate complex designs, technical risks, and R&D roadmaps to executive management to ensure engineering efforts align with business commercialization goals.
• Drive "New Product Architecture" initiatives by defining system-level designs for next-generation medical devices and leading complex cross-functional design reviews to ensure total system integrity.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of industry technology trends to actively drive innovation within the R&D department and serve as a primary thought leader for the electrical engineering function.
• Proactively manage professional development and continued education to stay at the forefront of engineering best practices, emerging technologies, and advanced design and simulation tools.
• When required serve as the final technical authority on design verification and validation strategies, ensuring the company’s engineering practices evolve to meet changing global regulatory standards.
• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior and staff-level engineers, fostering their professional development and ensuring the consistent application of engineering best practices across the R&D team.
• Lead strategic technical engagements with key PCB, component, and tooling suppliers to influence technology roadmaps, establish critical vendor partnerships, and drive holistic optimizations for performance, quality, and cost-efficiency across all R&D platforms.
• Define project scope, priorities, schedules, and technical deliverables in alignment with departmental and product development goals.
• Design sensor interfaces, display drivers, power supplies, and control electronics for high-power laser and RF applications.
• Develop schematics and PCB layouts using industry-standard design tools.
• Design, integrate, and test analog and digital control circuits.
• Lead the transfer of new products from development into production, working closely with Manufacturing and Quality teams.
• Provide technical input into design specifications, risk management, and product development activities.
• Ensure electrical safety, EMC, and regulatory compliance across product designs.
• Develop and execute test plans to support design verification and validation of electronic systems.
• Collaborate closely with systems, mechanical, UI/UX and software engineering to support system-level architecture and implementation.
• Troubleshoot complex electronic systems and perform root-cause analysis of new and existing designs.
• Support continuous improvement of existing products, processes, and engineering practices.
• Other duties as needed or required.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience, preferably within medical devices or energy-based medical devices and controlled physical energy forms—such as lasers, radiofrequency, and ultrasound
• Proven experience designing and developing electronics for commercial products from concept through production.
• Strong background in systems-level electrical design, integration, debugging, and testing for complex products.
• Experience designing and controlling diode-pumped solid-state and flashlamp-pumped laser systems.
• Strong proficiency in analog and digital circuit design.
• Extensive experience with board-level debugging, testing, documentation, and design troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of EMI/EMC principles, radiated emissions, and mitigation techniques.
• Proficiency with engineering simulation, data analysis, and automation tools such as LTspice, MATLAB, and LabVIEW.
• Expertise with schematic capture and PCB layout tools; Altium Designer preferred.
• Experience working with high-voltage electronics and power electronics.
• Familiarity with PID controllers, electromechanical systems, electro-optics, sensors, and instrumentation.
• Experience with IEC 60601-1, EMC standards, ISO 14971, and related medical device regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with Electrical, Mechanical, Optical, Software, Clinical, Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory teams.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently drive complex technical issues to resolution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical concepts and make sound engineering recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Experience developing high-power laser, RF, ultrasound, or other energy-based medical devices.
• Experience with electrical safety and EMC testing and certification processes.