Clera
From company careers site
Senior Optical Engineer, R&D
- Location
- San Francisco
- Work mode
- On-site
- Employment type
- Full-time
About the job
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a senior optical engineering specialist on a defense technology R&D team, you will lead optical design and investigations for autonomous directed-energy hardware. Your work will help turn optical concepts into robust systems built for real-world use.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Lead optical design and analysis for core system components.
- Run optical investigations and trade studies to guide system-level design decisions.
- Specify and evaluate optical components and subsystem architectures with vendors and fabricators.
- Collaborate with mechanical engineers on optical packaging, housing, and integration.
- Conduct tolerance analysis, performance validation, and design iterations.
- Guide alignment, characterization, and testing of integrated optical systems.
- Establish effective practices for optical development, validation, and technical documentation.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- Typically 5 or more years of relevant experience in optical engineering, optical design, physics, or related hardware engineering.
- Hands-on experience designing and analyzing optical systems that were built and operated, including aligning and characterizing precision optical hardware.
- Strong command of optical theory and experience debugging hardware and leading investigations from first principles.
- Experience with optical trade studies, component selection, subsystem architecture, tolerance analysis, and performance validation.
- Experience collaborating with mechanical engineers on optical packaging and integration.
- Familiarity with Zemax/OpticStudio or Code V; experience designing high-power laser optics, ruggedized beam delivery, or beam directors is relevant.
- A BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Base salary: $150,000 to $200,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.
LOCATION
On-site in San Francisco, California, with range days.
From Clera's careers page (Ashby), checked 30 Oct 2026.
How to apply
- Select Apply on getclera.com. It opens Clera's own application form in a new tab, run on Ashby.
- Fill in the form and upload your résumé there. Jobiwork never sees your application.
- Clera will reply to you directly. No real employer asks you for money to apply.
Posted 29 Oct 2026 · checked 30 Oct 2026 · Report this job
