Optical Engineer

ETC is hiring for an Optical Design Engineer to join our team in our Middleton, Wisconsin office!

Our ideal candidate will will have a minimum of a Bachelors degree, experience designing optical/photonic systems, and a solid understanding of optical component design tolerances. Experience with Zemax, TracePro, and Solidworks software is a plus.

ETC offers fantastic benefits including health and paid time off benefits starting day one of employment, disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement options, and so much more! Come Have Fun and Make Money with us!

Representative Responsibilities:

Defines acceptable optical performance parameters for ETCs lighting fixtures, design optical elements and systems to meet specified performance, and implement processes and procedures to ensure that designed and manufactured fixtures perform to those parameters.

Assists mechanical engineer with design of opto-mechanical systems

Develop quantifiable beam and image specifications for new light fixtures based on Marketing specification requirements

Utilize software design and analysis programs to design optical elements and systems that meet these specifications

Investigate new and alternative technologies that will enable optimal system performance at minimal cost

Design and perform experiments to investigate design problems and determine optical element fabrication tolerances

Negotiate optical element specifications and tolerances with optic suppliers to maximize quality and minimize cost

Qualify new optical element suppliers

Assist in the preparation, review, and editing of marketing photometric data sheets and technical documents

Assist mechanical designers in the development of optical portions of the design specification

Develop and conduct photometric testing to benchmark new product performance

Develop and conduct photometric testing of competitive products to benchmark their performance

Compile all photometric testing data and format for insertion into the design specification and publishable photometric data

Assist mechanical engineer with the construction of the optical section of the validation test plan of a project

Define methods of qualification of optical system and individual optical components

Define methods for verification of performance of the optical system and individual components

Assist mechanical designers with optical validation testing of projects. This would include performing the following per ETC standards:

Perform qualification testing of optical system and optical components

Perform necessary testing to verify the performance of the optical system and individual components

Perform photometric and optical component validation testing in conjunction with vendors on mockups, prototypes, and production as required

Develop methods of measuring and maintaining acceptable optical component tolerance in production and monitor optical components and system quality in Manufacturing on a regular basis

Assist with the design and building of optical component test fixtures for QA and production

Provide technical assistance to QA and production on optical components and the use of test fixtures and related equipment

Work with suppliers and QA personnel to resolve any optical quality problems

Verifies ECR/ECOs on optical components

Assist in the creation and maintenance or production test records

Provide training to QA and production personnel on the proper assembly of new products

Improve the companys light measurement and optical testing capabilities, reliability, and productivity in R&D and manufacturing on a continuing basis

Write and maintain the photometric and optical test procedure documentation for ISO 9001 quality system

May represent ETC as a technical expert on industry-wide committees concerned with photometric measurements

Maintain a library of photometric and other optical testing literature, including standards and references

Responsible for the organization and maintenance of the optical test lab and equipment

Participates as a team member on R&D projects

Provides technical assistance to other departments, vendors, and customers on optic related matters

Provide input to improve departmental processes and quality

Completes all assignments per ETC standards

Provides task completion time estimates

Maintain time accounting log

Participates in the ISO on the job training

Assist Line Managers in the training of employees

Provides input towards the performance reviews of lower level technicians

Attends identified training classes

Completes other duties as assigned

Recommends the purchase of new equipment for departmental improvements

Minimum Qualifications:

Masters Degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering and 4-10 years of experience, or

Bachelors Degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering and 8-15 years of experience

Demonstrated ability to perform the duties of a Senior Optical Design Engineer I

Demonstrated ability to work independently and perform multiple tasks without general supervision.

Good knowledge of illumination optics and beam patterns

Good knowledge of optical design principles, component specification, and tolerances

Good knowledge of various optical production methods

Good knowledge of the use of light measurement equipment (i.e. light meter, color meter, CCD camera)

Good knowledge of the use of electrical test equipment (i.e. voltmeter, scope, power meter)

Good knowledge of Prometric photometric testing software

Good knowledge of Zemax optical design software

Good knowledge of the use of mechanical test equipment (i.e. dial calipers, heights gage, feeler gage)

Demonstrate the ability to make independent decisions

Demonstrate ability to solve complex problems

Demonstrate the ability to multi-task between projects

Ability to follow project plans and meet project deadlines

Strong attention to detail

Strong organizational skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Motivational and leadership skills

Good computer skills

Knowledge of company policies