Camera Optomechanical Engineer

Saronic · Defense · Austin, TX · Engineering

Seeking a Camera Optomechanical Engineer to design, integrate, and qualify imaging systems for autonomous service vessels, focusing on ruggedized enclosures and sensor integration for harsh maritime conditions. This role collaborates with hardware, perception, and autonomy engineers to ensure robust and high-performing vision systems at sea.

What you'd actually do

  1. Designs and develop optomechanical assemblies for cameras and imaging sensors, including lens mounts, enclosures, gimbals, and thermal control elements
  2. Collaborates with hardware, perception, and autonomy engineers to define mechanical and optical requirements for camera systems, including field of view, lensing, placement, and alignment
  3. Performs detailed tolerance analysis to ensure structural integrity of components in vibration and shock-prone marine environments
  4. Selects and integrates commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom components to meet SWaP (size, weight, and power) constraints
  5. Develops test plans and leads environmental and performance validation (e.g., IP rating, vibration testing, temperature cycling)

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor's degree or greater in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field
  • 2+ years of experience designing optomechanical systems or camera integration in rugged environments
  • Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo) and mechanical analysis tools (FEA, thermal modeling)
  • Proficiency in producing detailed engineering drawings for prototyping and manufacturing
  • Proficiency with optical principles, including alignment, lens selection, MTF, and FOV constraints
  • Experience with environmental sealing (IP67+), thermal management, and vibration isolation
  • Familiarity with camera sensor technologies (visible, IR, multispectral) and their mechanical considerations
  • Experience working on autonomous systems or robotics platforms (ground, air, or maritime)

Nice to have

  • Experience with maritime autonomy challenges such as dynamic environments, variable lighting, and low-contrast targets.
  • Proven success developing, integrating, and validating optical & sensor systems on maritime or aerospace platforms
  • Experience with design and testing for shock and vibration environments
  • Prior experience working on DoD programs or unmanned maritime systems.
  • A professional engineering license or similar professional certification
  • ASME Y14.5 certification
  • Background in defense, aerospace, or other regulated hardware environments
  • Experience with optical coatings, anti-reflective treatments, or lens fogging mitigation

What the JD emphasized

  • rugged environments
  • environmental sealing (IP67+)
  • vibration testing
  • shock and vibration environments