Optical Engineer

Optical Design Engineer

We are seeking an Optical Design Engineer to join a well-respected team of engineers in building innovative LED lighting for emergency vehicles — the lights that help first responders save lives. We’re looking for a hands-on, scrappy, creative Optical Engineer to become our in-house expert on all things optics. If you know how to shape, mix, bend, and throw light like a wizard, we want to talk.

This is a ground-floor opportunity: you’ll be our first in-house optical expert. You’ll own the optical performance of every lighting product we make — from warning lights to scene lights to the next generation of integrated multi-color systems — and will play a key role in helping us outshine the competition.

What you’ll do:

·       Review and analyze existing products to identify optical improvement opportunities.

·       Design next-generation LED optics for warning lights, scene lights, and headlights.

·       Drive innovation in multi-color, under-one-optic designs (think stage lighting meets public safety).

·       Select lens materials (primarily acrylic or polycarbonate; silicone a plus) and specify optical geometry (reflectors, collimators, beam-shaping elements, etc.).

·       Collaborate with our mechanical and embedded product engineers to deliver fully integrated lighting systems.

·       Work with suppliers and manufacturers to source, tool, and validate optical components.

·       Use photometric equipment (like goniophotometers and integrating spheres) to validate optical performance.

·       Guide software/tool selection for optical simulation and modeling — we’re open to what works best.

 What we’re looking for:

·       Proven experience designing optics for LED lighting systems.

·       Deep understanding of how to shape and control light — beam angles, optical efficiency, color mixing, etc.

·       Strong background in optical design tools (Zemax, LightTools, TracePro, or similar) and CAD software (SolidWorks experience is a plus).

·       Experience working with plastic optics (injection molded preferred), and knowledge of manufacturing constraints.

·       Comfortable owning a function solo — you're a team of one for now, so you'll need to set the vision and execute.

·       Comfortable testing, prototyping, failing fast, and iterating — we love trying new things.

·       Degree? Cool if you have one. But if your portfolio, prototypes, or patent history speak louder — we’ll listen.

 Â·       You’ve maybe worked at a small lighting company or engineering startup — and you liked the pace.

·       You’re confident, hands-on, and love solving problems that don’t have an obvious answer,

·       You’re a builder. An inventor. Someone who sees light differently.

·       You’ve always wanted the freedom to say, “Let’s try this crazy idea…” and then actually try it.

·       You’re not afraid of regulations — even if you haven’t worked with SAE, FMVSS, or DOT lighting standards before, you’re the kind of person who can dive into the details and figure it out fast.

·       You thrive in a tight-knit, high-performance team and aren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves.

Why join us:

 Â·       We’re an established company with a tech startup feel. Fast-moving, fun-loving, and mission-driven.

·       Our lights protect firefighters, paramedics, and police officers across the world. Your work literally saves lives.

·       You’ll get to help shape the optical performance of an entire product line — from scratch.

·       Our engineering team is tight, scrappy, and fun. You’ll love working here.

·       We’re based in Western North Carolina, just outside Asheville. Think bluegrass, breweries, and world-class mountain biking five minutes from the shop.