Senior R&D Engineer

For more than 30 years, Opto-Alignment Technology, Inc. (OATi) has designed and built precision optical alignment and metrology equipment, including our LASTM lens alignment systems and QuickPROTM metrology instruments. We are a small, hands-on engineering team. Our R&D engineers take new instruments from concept through modeling, prototyping, and release to production.

We are looking for a Senior R&D Engineer to develop our next generation of metrology and alignment systems, taking new products from early concept through working prototype to release. This is a full-time, on-site position at our Charlotte, NC headquarter.

This role calls for a strong engineering foundation and hands-on lab work: building and testing prototype hardware, setting up and characterizing motion systems, and working directly with our production team to turn designs into instruments.

Responsibilities

Develop new metrology and alignment systems, from requirements and concept through prototype, test, and release

Build and test prototypes in the lab, and integrate sensors with automated positioning systems

Set up, tune, and characterize precision motion systems (linear and rotary stages, air bearings, encoders, and controllers), including accuracy, repeatability, and error-budget analysis

Collect and analyze measurement data in MATLAB, and build reusable analysis tools

Model and simulate system performance in MATLAB/Simulink and Simscape (including Simscape Multibody), and check models against measured hardware behavior

Design precision mechanisms and fixtures using sound principles (exact constraint, stiffness, thermal stability)

Support product design in SolidWorks, including parts, assemblies, drawings, and engineering changes under our ISO 9001 design control process

Work with production, quality, and customers to turn requirements into working instruments

Required Qualifications

B.S. in Mechanical, Optical, or Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field

At least 5 years of industry or applied-research experience developing precision electromechanical or optomechanical systems

Proficiency in MATLAB for data analysis and scripting

Experience modeling dynamic systems in Simulink/Simscape

Proficiency in SolidWorks (parts, assemblies, and detailed drawings with GD&T)

Hands-on experience setting up and characterizing motion systems

Strong grounding in data analysis, statistics, and measurement uncertainty

Clear communicator who works well independently and in a small team

Must be a U.S. Person due to ITAR requirements

Preferred Qualifications

M.S. in a related field

Experience with Simscape Multibody and with modeling air bearings or precision stages

Background in optical testing, alignment, surface metrology, or interferometry

Experience programming motion controllers

Experience working under a formal design control or ISO 9001 quality system

Opto Alignment, located in Charlotte NC, is a leading manufacturer of ultra precision alignment, assembly and inspection optical systems. Our flagship product, the Laser Alignment & Assembly Station (LAS), employs latest generation illumination and vision technologies, along with computer automation, to achieve sub-micron centering precision. For more than 30 years, Opto Alignment is a recognized leader in the field of optical instrumentation where we offer complete solutions for opto-mechanical design, ultra precision machining, system manufacturing and assembly services ranging from the visible to the infrared spectrum.