Optical Engineer (US)

We are looking for an Optical Engineer with 3+ years of experience to own the entire optical path, from pulsed laser to spectrometer, at a Series A startup reinventing how America recycles metal. Optica Industries uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to sort mixed scrap metal into pure alloys, and the quality of our optical system sets the ceiling on everything downstream. You'll be the specialist responsible for maximizing the accuracy and consistency of every laser shot on both the bench and a moving production line. This is a ground-floor opportunity to build critical hardware infrastructure at a company solving the global metal supply shortage. We're looking for a hungry, hands-on engineer who is comfortable working with lasers, plasma, and spectrometers, not someone from a purely academic background.

What will you be doing?

• Design and optimize the full optical chain, laser excitation, beam delivery, collection optics, and spectrometer coupling, to maximize signal quality (SNR, photon counts) from LIBS plasma

• Select, integrate, and tune pulsed laser systems, mirrors, lenses, coatings, and fiber coupling for consistent shot-to-shot performance

• Develop alignment and calibration procedures that hold up through vibration, heat, and dust on a live factory conveyor line

• Collaborate closely with mechanical and firmware engineers to ruggedize optical assemblies for industrial-scale deployment

• Drive continuous improvement of the optical system, experimenting with configurations, coatings, and collection geometries to compound gains in data quality