Job Title: Holographic Optical Engineer
Department: Optical Engineering
Reports To: Optical Engineering Department Manager
Location: Torrance, CA
Employment Type: Full-time
As a Holographic Optical Engineer, you will support the design, execution, and scale-up of holographic optical element (HOE) systems, with a primary focus on automotive head-up display (HUD) applications. This is a hands-on engineering role responsible for both optical system design and the physical implementation of holographic recording systems.
You will work closely with the Optical Engineering Department Manager and cross-functional teams to design optical recording setups, support HOE manufacturing processes, and help transition lab-scale holographic technologies into pilot-line and high-volume roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing environments.
- Design optical layouts for HOE recording systems using ZEMAX
- Plan holographic recording configurations and system architectures based on application requirements
- Translate optical simulations into executable laboratory and manufacturing setups
- Physically assemble and align optical systems to match ZEMAX-designed layouts
- Align microscope objectives using pinhole alignment techniques
- Tune, optimize, and stabilize laser systems used in holographic recording
- Execute and troubleshoot holographic recording table setups for manufacturing use
- Support the development and optimization of roll-to-roll HOE manufacturing processes
- Assist in transitioning HOE fabrication from R&D to pilot-line and production environments
- Ensure optical system designs meet manufacturing constraints and throughput requirements
- Provide optical design and technical support to Tier-1 automotive partners
- Support application-specific HOE designs for automotive HUD programs
- Collaborate with internal teams and external customers to resolve optical performance challenges
- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
- 2–5 years of relevant experience (approximately 2 years with a Master’s degree or 5 years with a Bachelor’s degree)
- Proficiency in ZEMAX optical design software
- Demonstrated experience in optical system design, development, or manufacturing
- Hands-on experience with optical alignment, laser tuning, and laboratory setups
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collaborate in cross-functional and customer-facing environments
- Experience working with holographic optical elements (HOEs)
- Experience adapting lab-scale optical fabrication processes to pilot-line or volume manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with automotive HUD systems or display optics
- Optical Engineering Department Manager
- Internal optical engineering and R&D teams
- Manufacturing engineering teams and the VP of Manufacturing
- External customers and suppliers, including Tier-1 automotive partners
- On-site role based in Torrance, CA
- Access to optical labs, holographic recording tables, and manufacturing pilot lines
- Collaboration across R&D, engineering, and manufacturing teams
- Competitive compensation package
- Comprehensive benefits
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge automotive and display technologies
