Applications Engineer

Position Summary:

We are looking for an Optics Applications Engineer who can take ownership of all printed optical, electrical components and systems. In this role, you will bridge the gap between our technology, our engineering teams, and our end-use applications, such as technology demonstrators, internal or customer-driven products. This role involves working with optical and systems engineers to reduce their designs to printed best-practice, characterize printed works as components, test within application systems and ultimately evolve concepts to production grade products. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working at the intersection of optics, electronics, precision mechanics, and nanofabrication. The position is on-site with the potential for part-time remote work and growth to a leadership position.

What you'll be doing

• Product Applications & Technical Owner: Serve as the primary technical contact for all printing projects as they evolve from technology and product demonstrators to prospective and current customers' products, demonstrating nanofabrication capabilities and troubleshooting complex, high-value projects.


• Application and Systems Engineering: Understand how a printed optical or electrical component will function within its system, evaluate its performance and limitations with basic tolerance and sensitivity analyses to ensure application success.  Work with internal and external subject matter experts as needed.


• Part Optimization: Analyze project design files, redesign parts for additive manufacturing (DFAM) to maximize performance, reduce print time, integrate appropriate process and metrology monitors to maximize quality and generate CAD job files.


• Process Development: Own and document start-to-finish process flow, ensure product travelers provide full traceability (file slicing, print parameters, materials selection, print processing and finishing) to achieve superior physical properties, accuracy and quality.


• Printing: Support lithography team members to operate, calibrate, and maintain 2PP printers, including material loading, post-processing, and troubleshooting.


• Quality Control: Own product quality by working with metrology team members to perform component inspections using metrology tools or evaluate components in targeted application systems.  Refine model designs to achieve desired goals.


• Environmental Robustness: Own product environmental reliability. Work with materials and packaging team members to define and run specification validation tests.

What experience you'll need

• Master’s degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.


• 3+ years of experience in optical devices, components or systems. Additive manufacturing is a plus.


• Demonstrated experience with complex optical, imaging or laser systems, optical component design, validation and test.


• Strong presentation and communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to customers. Demonstrated experience working in multi-disciplined environments and with marketing professionals.


• Expert-level knowledge of CAD software, such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Autodesk Netfabb or equivalent.


• Proficiency in slicing software (e.g., Magics, Simplify3D, or proprietary printer slicers).


• Experience with optical modeling and design tools such as Zemax or equivalent. Experience with electrical, mechanical and thermal simulations is advantageous.


• Ability in a lab setting, from prototype assembly, optical testing to system troubleshooting.


• Experience working in a startup or fast-paced R&D environment is beneficial.

Desired Skills:

• Experience with Python or similar scripting languages for process automation.


• Background in aerospace, automotive, medical or metrology device manufacturing. 

About Us

Irradiant Technologies is pioneering the future of nano-optics and photonics with our proprietary 3D nanofabrication platform. Our technology enables the creation of optical components with geometries and refractive index profiles previously unattainable, opening doors to entirely new classes of photonic devices. By redefining what is possible in optical design and manufacturing, we are accelerating innovations in sensing, communication, imaging, display, and computation. As we transition from R&D to productization, we are expanding our engineering team to support the development of robust, integrated photonic systems.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this role is $110,000 - $135,000 and we are committed to equitable compensation across our company. We offer 401(k), multiple healthcare schemes and an annual reimbursement, to give our employees greater flexibility with the benefits that meet their needs. We offer a flexible Paid Time Off policy and encourage people to take regular vacation.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Irradiant Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team free from discrimination or harassment. We encourage candidates of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status to apply. Applicants with a disability are encouraged to contact us with any requests for accommodation.