HHiring Reality
← Picarro, Inc

Optical Engineer

Picarro, Inc
Location
Santa Clara, CA
Posted
1 month ago
Department
2230 - Eng - R&D
Salary
$120K to $140K
What they actually want (must-haves)
  • BS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field; MS preferred
  • 3–5 years of hands-on experience in optical engineering, optical instrumentation, spectroscopy systems, fiber optics, laser systems, photonics, or related hardware development
  • Strong understanding of optical fundamentals and first principles reasoning
  • Practical experience with Zemax OpticStudio or equivalent optical design tools
  • Hands-on experience aligning, testing, and troubleshooting optical assemblies
  • Working knowledge of fiber coupling, Gaussian beam optics, and optical tolerancing
Nice to have
  • Experience with CRDS, laser-based spectroscopy, or precision optical sensing systems
  • Experience specifying, evaluating, or qualifying optical coatings
  • Experience with optical suppliers and qualification plans
  • Experience with optical metrology and environmental stability testing
  • Experience with data analysis or automation using Python, MATLAB, or LabVIEW
What the job really is

As an Optical Engineer at Picarro, you will be responsible for developing and optimizing next-generation spectroscopy platforms and gas measurement products. Your day-to-day tasks will include modeling and testing optical systems, troubleshooting performance issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product reliability and manufacturability. You will apply your knowledge of optical physics and modeling tools like Zemax to improve system performance and support prototype builds.

Benefits
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
  • Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
  • Employee Referral Program
  • 401K
Things to weigh
  • Onsite position in Santa Clara, CA
  • Base salary range of $120K to $140K, with total compensation including bonus and equity
  • Role involves hands-on work and collaboration in a fast-paced environment
Job score4.4/5
Benefits4/5
Freshness4/5
Career value4/5
Role clarity5/5
Pay transparency5/5

Applying to Picarro, Inc?

See how your résumé matches this role — and tailor it from what actually gets interviews.

Calculate resume scoreGenerate resume to apply
Job Link →