Sr. Optical System Engineer

LOCATION: This is a fully onsite position based at our Madison WI site. Unfortunately relocation assistance is NOT provided.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check which includes a drug screen.

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific teamyoulldiscover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every day to enable our customers to make the world healthier cleaner and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while advancing solutions to some of the worlds toughest challenges like protecting the environment making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.

The Analytical Instruments Group (AIG) at Thermo Fisher Scientific provides a broad portfolio of instruments software and services that support a wide range of laboratory production and field applications. Our solutions are used by customers across pharmaceutical biotechnology academic government environmental and industrial markets to advance research improve productivity and drive innovation. At the Madison Wisconsin site our teams design and manufacture advanced spectroscopy instrumentation used by scientists around the world for research materials science energy and industrial applications.

Description

We are seeking an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to architect and develop advanced optical systems for FTIR NIR and Raman spectroscopy instruments. This role focuses on system-level design optical modeling and cross-functional integration of complex photonic systems. The ideal candidate combines strong opticalexpertisewith systems engineering experience and thrives in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop optical systems including imaging illumination sensing or laser-based subsystems

• Translate product requirements into optical architectures and system-level specifications

• Perform optical modeling and simulation (e.g.Zemax Code VLightTools)

• Drive tolerance analysis error budgeting and performance optimization

• Collaborate with mechanical electrical software and manufacturing teams to ensure robust system integration

• Own system-level trade studies and design decisions balancing performance cost and manufacturability

• Guide prototyping testing and validation of optical systems

• Develop and execute test plans; analyze data and iterate designs accordingly

• Support transfer to manufacturing including alignment strategies and yield improvement

• Troubleshoot complex optical/system-level issues in development and production

• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical leadership within the team

• Interface with external vendors and partners for components and subsystems

Requirements

• Advanced DegreeinOptical EngineeringPhysicsor related disciplineplus 3 years of experience orBachelors Degreeplus 5 years of experience developing complexopticalsystems

• Strong understanding of optical principles including geometrical optics wave optics diffraction and polarization

• Experience with optical design and simulation tools (e.g.Zemax)

• Experience designing and analyzing optical systems such as imaging systems lasers fiber optics or photonic devices

• Familiarity with laboratory optical equipment (e.g. interferometers spectrometers alignment tools)

• Knowledge of optical tolerancing fabrication processes and metrology techniques

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability tooptimizecomplex systemperformance

• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams across mechanical electrical and software engineering

• Programming experience (Python MATLAB or similar) for data analysis modeling or automation

• Experience working in regulated development environments (e.g. medical devices aerospace defense) is a plus

• Knowledge of opto-mechanical design considerations and thermal effects in optical systems

• Familiarity with ISO or other relevant industry standards

• ExperienceleveragingAI/ML or generative AI tools to enhance data analysis optical modeling or engineering productivity (e.g. code generation data interpretation or design exploration)

• Awareness of how AI/ML techniques may be applied to instrument data processing signal analysis or systemoptimization

• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to contribute to technical documentation and design reviews

• Demonstrated ability to manage technical work independently while contributing to team deliverables