Phd Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

About Us: Founded in 1997, Vuzix (NASDAQ: VUZI) is a growing, dynamic company that specializes in the design, manufacturing and sale of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technologies and products for the enterprise and consumer markets. Company products include wearable displays and computing devices that offer portable, high-quality viewing experience for applications in augmented reality, digital information, utility, and entertainment.

Position Summary:  The Optical Waveguide Engineer will support R&D, new product development and production while directly reporting to the Optics group. It will be their primary responsibility to deliver diffractive waveguide designs to support new product development and internal research programs. They will work within a multidisciplinary team to manufacture, test, and implement these new diffractive waveguide designs. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Subject matter expert on physical optics.
• Proven understanding of diffractive optics, geometric optics, and polarization.
• Deliver new imaging AR/VR waveguide designs to support product requirements.
• Experience going from concept to prototype to product.
• Help advance the state of the art for waveguide technology.
• Support modeling and metrology teams to validate designs.
• Work with Mechanical, Manufacturing and Optical Engineers on joint design efforts.
• Drive process improvement within product development and manufacturing.
• Research novel technologies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with vendors.

Competencies: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Written Communication – Read and interpret written information effectively, write clearly and concisely, adapt writing style for different audiences.

Verbal Communication – Give focused attention to what others are saying, take time to understand what and respond when appropriate without interrupting, speak clearly and effectively express ideas and opinions, adapt and react professionally in both positive and negative situations.

Teamwork & Collaboration – Balance team and individual responsibilities, consider others’ views objectively and with openness to changing your own, give and encourage feedback, contribute to a positive team dynamic, prioritize team success over personal interests, work effectively across departments toward company goals.

Professionalism – Interact with others in a considerate manner, follow through on commitments, react well under pressure and preserve confidentiality, control emotions, and accept responsibility, maintain focus on solutions and treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.

Motivation & Initiative – Demonstrate persistence and ability to adapt to changes in daily workflow, overcome obstacles, request and provide help as needed, and work independently. Volunteer readily and look for ways to improve and create successful outcomes, positively contributes to overall work environment.

Respect & Integrity – Treat people with respect, work ethically and with honesty and integrity, inspire the trust of others, demonstrate appreciation and sensitivity for cultural differences, help promote inclusion and understanding of the value of diversity, embrace differences and support a harassment-free environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• MS in Physics or Optical Engineering or related discipline - PhD preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of related experience.
• Design experience with imaging waveguides.
• Experience with needs of AR/VR/MR systems.
• Proficient with standard optical design software, Zemax, CODE V, Virtual Lab, LightTools, or FRED.
• Strong problem solving and statistical analysis skills.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate ideas and concepts within a group.
• Program management experience a plus.
• Leadership experience preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities

Travel: Negligible.

Physical Demands: Frequently required to sit, speak, hear, see, and perform repetitive motion (data entry). Occasionally required to lift or carry (10 lb. minimum). Reasonable accommodations will be made if possible.