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Senior Optomechanical Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

You will serve as a senior technical authority for optomechanical architecture across our EO and IR ... Working closely with optical, thermal, electrical, and systems engineering teams from concept ...

New

You will serve as a senior technical authority for optomechanical architecture across our EO and IR ... Working closely with optical, thermal, electrical, and systems engineering teams from concept ...

Eng Sr Prin - Mech

Broomfield, CO · On-site

$108K - $143K/yr

Experience with optomechanical engineering through the design of precision mounts and supporting structure * Proficient in SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software. * Proficient in GD&T, drawing ...

Senior Optomechanical Engineer information

What is a senior optomechanical engineer?

Senior Optomechanical Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test mechanical systems that support and integrate optical components, such as lenses, mirrors, and lasers, within devices or instruments. They play a key role in ensuring that optical systems function correctly by managing tolerances, alignment, and thermal effects. Senior-level engineers often lead teams, oversee project timelines, and collaborate with optical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers to deliver robust solutions. Their expertise is critical in industries such as aerospace, medical devices, telecommunications, and scientific research.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior optomechanical engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Optomechanical Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical and optical engineering principles, typically supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, optics, or physics. Proficiency with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or Creo), optical design tools (like Zemax or Code V), and familiarity with GD&T and thermal/structural FEA are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective collaboration and communication skills set top candidates apart. These skills ensure the successful design, integration, and manufacture of complex optical systems critical for high-performance products.

How does a senior optomechanical engineer typically collaborate with optical and mechanical teams during product development?

As a Senior Optomechanical Engineer, you play a crucial role bridging the gap between optical design and mechanical engineering teams. You’ll regularly participate in cross-functional meetings to ensure mechanical components support optical performance requirements, and vice versa. This involves reviewing design prototypes, troubleshooting integration issues, and providing feedback to both teams to accelerate product development. Close collaboration is essential for balancing performance, manufacturability, and reliability in complex optical systems.

What is the difference between Senior Optomechanical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectSenior Optomechanical EngineerMechanical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical, Mechanical, or related engineering; experience in optomechanicsBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering; general engineering skills
Work EnvironmentOptics labs, R&D departments, product development teamsManufacturing, design, product development across industries
Industry UsageOptics, photonics, aerospace, defenseAutomotive, aerospace, consumer products, manufacturing

While both roles involve mechanical design and engineering skills, a Senior Optomechanical Engineer specializes in integrating optical components with mechanical systems, often working in optics-focused industries. A Mechanical Engineer has a broader scope, working across various sectors with general mechanical design and analysis. The choice depends on the specific industry and technical focus.

What does a senior optomechanical engineer do?

A senior optomechanical engineer designs, develops, and tests mechanical components and systems for optical devices such as lasers, sensors, and imaging equipment. They collaborate with optical engineers to ensure precise alignment, stability, and performance, often using CAD software and working in cleanroom environments. This role typically requires strong knowledge of optics, mechanics, and materials, along with project management skills and experience with manufacturing processes.

Optomechanical Engineer, Staff

Socket.dev

Denver, CO • On-site

$185 - $285/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES
  • Be the offset.We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
  • What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
  • It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.
YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking an exceptional Staff Optomechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and integration of high-performance infrared optical systems for our spacecraft payloads. You will serve as a senior technical authority for optomechanical architecture across our EO and IR payload programs — developing designs that survive demanding thermal and dynamic environments while maintaining stringent optical performance requirements. Working closely with optical, thermal, electrical, and systems engineering teams from concept through qualification and production, you will define the standards and approaches the broader Payloads team builds upon. You bring deep expertise in athermalized optomechanical design, IR optical system integration, and structural-thermal-optical performance analysis, and the technical range to drive program-level outcomes across multiple concurrent payload development efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead the design and development of optomechanical assemblies for infrared telescope and sensor systems, including flexure and kinematic mounts, lens and mirror housings, and structural interfaces
  • Develop athermalized optical designs to maintain alignment and performance across operational temperature ranges, applying material selection, bimetallic compensation, and CTE-matched adhesive bonding strategies
  • Design and integrate active and passive cooling solutions for optical components, detectors, and windows, including cryocoolers, conductive and radiative cooling approaches
  • Perform structural, thermal, and thermo-elastic analyses to predict optical performance under environmental loads including vibration, shock, and thermal gradients
  • Collaborate with optical designers to translate lens prescriptions into manufacturable designs, supporting line-of-sight error budgeting and end-to-end tolerance stack-up analysis
  • Support and lead optical alignment and metrology activities for optical assemblies, including interferometric, autocollimation, and CMM-based alignment techniques
  • Evaluate and implement vibration isolation solutions to protect sensitive optical assemblies from launch and operational disturbance environments
  • Define and maintain optomechanical design standards and best practices across the Payloads team, codifying reusable approaches that elevate the organization's collective capability
  • Generate detailed CAD models, drawings, and specifications for procurement and fabrication; work with suppliers to source optical components, coatings, and specialized hardware
  • Document design decisions, trade studies, and analysis results, and present findings at design reviews (PDR/CDR) and program milestones
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)
  • 8+ years of professional experience in optomechanical design, with direct experience on infrared optical or sensor systems
  • Demonstrated expertise in flexure and kinematic mount design and athermalized optomechanical design techniques
  • Experience with structural and thermal analysis tools (ANSYS, NX Nastran, Thermal Desktop, or similar)
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar) and strong GD&T and tolerance stack-up skills
  • Familiarity with optical alignment and metrology techniques and optical component specifications and fabrication processes
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
  • Demonstrated ability to perform Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) analysis and apply results to drive design decisions
  • Skilled in line-of-sight error budgeting for precision pointing and tracking applications
  • Proficient in CTE-matched adhesive bonding and potting techniques for optical mount applications
  • Able to design and characterize vibration isolation systems for sensitive optical assemblies
  • Capable of designing complete optical trains including telescopes, relay optics, and IR lens systems from first principles
  • Practiced in stray light analysis and mitigation including baffle design and ghost analysis
  • Proficient with optical modeling software (Zemax/OpticStudio, CODE V, FRED, ASAP, or similar)
  • Familiar with IR-transmissive materials (sapphire, germanium, ZnSe, etc.) and their thermal and mechanical properties
  • Versed in vacuum-compatible design practices including outgassing and contamination control
  • Prior background in missile defense, space systems, or other high-reliability aerospace programs
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting
COMPENSATION
  • Base Salary: $185,000 - $285,000
  • Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach.
  • Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
  • Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.

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