Lead Optical Engineer (Austin, TX)

Design, automate, and optimize optical test setups for our Fresnel-lens concentrators and complex opto-mechanical assemblies, ensuring efficiency and precision.

Characterize concentration ratio, focal-spot flux distribution, and end-to-end optical efficiency, and validate these measurements against design models.

Develop tailored solutions for validating optical models, ensuring they meet technical and performance specifications.

Execute advanced optical testing, troubleshooting, and validation to ensure optimal product performance and reliability.

Investigate sun-tracking alignment, acceptance angle, and off-axis behavior, and their impact on delivered concentration and system yield.

Characterize long-term optical durability — including UV-driven transmittance loss, soiling, and thermal cycling — to support a 30-year field lifespan.

Automate test procedures using Python and C++ to streamline workflows and improve accuracy.

Feed validated optical performance data into thermal models and the system digital twin (developed in collaboration with NVIDIA and AWS) to support predictive performance and O&M.

Work closely with the Optical Product Development and R&D teams to integrate test results and feedback into design and development processes.

Collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering teams to ensure alignment across product development stages.

Define and validate manufacturing tolerances for optical components produced at high volume in domestic factory settings.

Analyze and document test results, providing insights, recommendations, and clear technical documentation.

Utilize non-imaging ray-tracing software, such as LightTools or FRED, for performance simulations and test validation.

Research and address thermal and environmental impacts on optical system performance.

Maintain clear, organized technical documentation for internal teams and external stakeholders.