R&D Optical Engineer

Chaberton Professionals is one of the recruiting divisions of Chaberton Partners. From our headquarters in Lugano, we support client companies in the search and selection of middle and top management profiles. Our goal is to create success stories and enrich the talent pipeline within our client companies.

For one of our clients, a leading provider of innovative technologies, we are currently supporting the recruitment of an R&D Optical Engineer to join their R&D division.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop receiving and illumination subsystems for optoelectronic devices, such as 2D and 3D cameras and barcode laser scanners
• Design optical components such as receiving lenses for image sensors, photodiodes, transmitting lenses for LEDs/lasers, deflecting mirrors, light filters, and reading windows
• Simulate optical systems (imaging and non-imaging optics) through ray tracing software (e.g., Zemax)
• Contribute to the design of optical systems that include tunable/movable parts, such as liquid lenses, oscillating mirrors, and rotating polygon mirrors
• Define detailed requirements for new optical parts to be designed, based on new product requirements
• Collaborate with other R&D functions (Mechanical, Electrical, Software, and Systems Engineering) in feasibility analysis and validation plans for new products
• Define and agree on test pass criteria with suppliers for prototyping and mass production of designed parts
• Perform measurements and functional tests on prototypes and samples of the designed systems using the required instruments and equipment
• Support Advanced Manufacturing Engineering in implementing and optimizing mass production processes for optical parts/systems
• Assist the Procurement team in scouting and assessing new suppliers of optical components

Requirements

• Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Telecom Engineering or Physics
• Knowledge of optical fundamentals: geometrical optics, polarization, interference, diffraction, Fourier optics, Gaussian beam propagation
• Experience or familiarity with simulation and experimental activities
• Good programming skills in high-level software (e.g., Matlab or Python) for analyzing simulation and experimental data
• No experience or 1–2 years of experience in optical design using ray tracing software (e.g., Zemax OpticStudio)
• Familiarity with optical measurements and characterizations using laboratory equipment (e.g., Lens MTF Meter)

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Eagerness to learn and grow in a dynamic R&D environment
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
• Comfortable working with cross-functional teams

Location: Bologna, Italy (Hybrid working)