Optical Engineer
On-siteAsheville, North Carolina, United States
Asheville, North Carolina, United StatesOn-siteFull TimeStartup
Full TimeStartup
Job Summary
Review existing LED lighting products to identify optical improvements and design next-generation optics for warning lights, scene lights, and headlights. Select lens materials and specify optical geometry, then collaborate with mechanical and embedded engineers to deliver integrated systems. Source, tool, and validate components while using photometric equipment to confirm performance and guide simulation software selection. Own the optical vision for the entire product line from scratch, driving innovation in multi-color designs and navigating regulatory standards.
Required Qualifications
- Proven experience designing optics for LED lighting systems
- Deep understanding of how to shape and control light — beam angles, optical efficiency, color mixing, etc.
- Strong background in optical design tools (Zemax, LightTools, TracePro, or similar)
- Experience working with plastic optics (injection molded preferred), and knowledge of manufacturing constraints
- Comfortable owning a function solo — you're a team of one for now, so you'll need to set the vision and execute
- Comfortable testing, prototyping, failing fast, and iterating
- Not afraid of regulations — even if you haven't worked with SAE, FMVSS, or DOT lighting standards before, you're the kind of person who can dive into the details and figure it out fast
- Thrive in a tight-knit, high-performance team and aren't afraid to roll up your sleeves
- Must be available for Western North Carolina, just outside Asheville
Desired Qualifications
- SolidWorks experience is a plus
- Experience working with silicone optics
- Degree
- Maybe worked at a small lighting company or engineering startup — and you liked the pace
- Confident, hands-on, and love solving problems that don't have an obvious answer
- A builder. An inventor. Someone who sees light differently
- Always wanted the freedom to say, 'Let's try this crazy idea...' and then actually try it
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