Optical Components Engineer

About the role

• Lyte is scaling 4D FMCW lidar into volume production. This role owns the precision optical components that go into our sensors - lenses, prisms, and other optic elements - from first specification through vendor qualification to steady, on-time volume supply. You will be the single technical owner for each component and its vendors. You will drive component specifications to convergence across optical design, systems, mechanical, and the vendor; tie every component tolerance back to system-level lidar performance; hold vendors accountable for delivery; define how parts are tested both at the vendor and in house; and own component reliability through qualification and ongoing monitoring. Underpinning all of it is optical simulation: you will build the modeling capability that predicts how component variation shows up at the system level, and use it to set specs that are both sufficient and manufacturable.

What you'll do

• Own the optical component supply base - Identify, assess, qualify, and manage vendors for lenses, prisms, windows, waveplates, and coatings. Run technical reviews and capability assessments, and lead second-source qualification in partnership with procurement and quality.
• Drive component spec convergence - Take each component from first draft to signed-off drawing — surface form and irregularity, transmitted wavefront error, centration and wedge, dimensional and angular tolerances, coating reflectance and transmittance, laser damage threshold, scratch-dig, and environmental requirements. Align optical design, mechanical, systems, and vendor manufacturability, close open items, and freeze specs on schedule.
• Correlate component specs to system specs - Build and maintain the flow-down from system-level 4D FMCW lidar performance - range accuracy and precision, SNR, signal intensity, and point-cloud quality — to component tolerances. Use sensitivity and tolerance analysis to show which parameters truly matter and where margin can be released to improve cost and yield.
• Drive vendor delivery - Own component build plans and delivery commitments across prototype, EVT/DVT/PVT, and volume ramp. Track WIP, yield, and capacity at each vendor, flag risks early, and drive recovery plans with procurement and NPI program management.
• Test at the vendor - Define vendor outgoing inspection and test plans — measurement methods, sampling, and data reporting formats. Audit vendor metrology and ensure vendor data is Cp/Cpk-capable and delivered with every shipment.
• Test in house - Define incoming inspection and engineering characterization at Lyte — interferometry, MTF, spectral transmittance and reflectance, polarization, and dimensional metrology. Partner with test engineering on IQC stations, maintain golden samples, and prove vendor-to-Lyte measurement correlation.
• Own component reliability - Define and own reliability qualification for every optical component — environmental and lifetime test plans covering thermal cycling and shock, damp heat and humidity, vibration and mechanical shock, coating adhesion and durability, laser damage, and UV and solar exposure, aligned to automotive and lidar product requirements. Execute tests at supplier sites, in Lyte's internal labs, or at external test labs as best fits each test, and own the results end to end: pass/fail disposition, failure analysis, corrective action with vendors, and ongoing reliability monitoring through production.
• Build optical simulation capability - Model components and sub-assemblies in Zemax OpticStudio or Code V - tolerancing, Monte Carlo, polarization, and stray light and ghost analysis. Compare measured against simulated performance to root-cause shortfalls, and build reusable models and methods the wider team can rely on.
• Lead failure analysis on component non-conformances, drive corrective action with vendors , and support MRB and deviation decisions with data.
• Own component documentation — drawings, specifications, test methods, the approved vendor list, and change control (ECO/PCN).
• Collaborate across optical design, systems, mechanical, NPI, quality, and procurement, and travel to vendor sites in Asia to support qualification, issue resolution, and ramp.

Required Qualifications

• M.S., or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or a related field — or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years in optical component engineering, supplier engineering, or optical design for production, working with precision optics such as lenses, prisms, windows, waveplates, or coated optics (e.g., in lidar, camera, AR/VR, telecom, or semiconductor optics).
• Proven track record managing optical vendors from RFQ through qualification and volume delivery, including driving schedule recovery when delivery slips.
• Deep working knowledge of optical component specifications and fabrication - drawings, surface form, wavefront, centration, wedge, scratch-dig, thin-film coatings, and optical glass and crystal materials — and of the tolerance capability of grinding, polishing, molding, and coating processes.
• Hands-on optical simulation in Zemax OpticStudio or Code V, including tolerancing, sensitivity, and Monte Carlo analysis, and the ability to turn results into clear component specifications.
• Hands-on optical metrology — Fizeau interferometers, MTF benches, spectrophotometers, autocollimators, and profilometers — including gauge R&R and cross-site measurement correlation.
• Experience planning and running reliability qualification for optical components — environmental stress and lifetime testing, coating, and analysis of post-test optical and cosmetic degradation.
• Data analysis skills (Python, MATLAB, or JMP) to work with vendor and in-house test data at volume.
• Willingness and ability to travel between the US and vendor sites in Taiwan and across Asia (up to ~25%).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with lidar, FMCW, or coherent detection systems, and with near-infrared optics.
• Polarization optics — waveplates, polarizing beam splitters, and prism assemblies — and optical bonding processes.
• Stray light analysis with FRED, LightTools, or ASAP.
• Supplier quality practices; automotive supply chain experience a strong plus.
• Automotive reliability standards, reliability statistics (Weibull, acceleration models), and managing external test labs.
• Track record of second-sourcing and cost reduction through spec optimization.
• Prior working relationships with optics vendors in Asia.

Benefits (subject to location and local regulations)

• Competitive salary and equity 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage 
• 401(k) retirement plan 
• Flexible vacation and time-off policy 
• Collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work environment 
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies with a highly cross-functional team