Senior Optical Engineer - Portland - Garmin International, Inc.

We are seeking a full-time Senior Optical Engineer in our Portland, OR location. In this role, you will be responsible for providing technical leadership and project planning for complex optical designs, technologies, or systems that are new for Garmin under general direction.

Essential Functions

• Serve in leadership capacity for completing complex designs or simulations/analysis such as tolerancing, stray light, non-sequential, etc. on optical systems incorporating a variety of surface/object types such as aspheric lenses, prisms, projected graphics, optical coatings, collimated optical systems and illumination systems
• Expert use of one or more optical simulation software tools (ZEMAX, Code V, Light Tools, TracePro, etc.) and test equipment tools used for high tight tolerance alignment in the manufacture of optical systems
• Specify test plans to validate very complex systems with complex performance requirements
• Mentor/develop clear guidance for peer group in proper optical test equipment utilization
• Direct/coordinate manufacture of moderately complex optical prototypes
• Serve as Optical Engineering project lead for a single project providing system level oversight and technical direction, design, overview, ownership, and communication of status updates
• Negotiate with cross functional teams to develop robust optical designs considering manufacturable tolerances, dimensional space constraints and appropriate testability
• Design, simulate, source, and analyze complex optical components from suppliers
• Design optics and optical systems to meet environmental and reliability requirements
• Project Engineer on projects that involve a new design or major changes to an existing design
• Work with mechanical engineering to consider tolerances, thermal, and dimensional space requirements
• Work with electrical engineering to consider variations in electro-optical components
• Collaborate/add value through participation in design reviews, providing comments on optical design aspects and other engineering areas across multiple product types
• Evaluate new technologies as they apply to similar technologies
• Participate in project leadership and/or program planning including providing technical input to product development plans and concept documents
• Estimate complex optical designs including tooling, part cost and design time
• Make substantial contributions toward determination of project goal/objectives
• Mentor/provide guidance to less experienced Optical Engineers (1 & 2)
• Contribute to advanced technical research on new technologies
• Independently determine general approach and specific solutions to technical problems
• Offer process improvement suggestions and author new procedures as appropriate
• Interpret industry and Garmin qualifications to determine relevance and impact on product design
• Plan/develop experimental test programs to verify compliance to all applicable regulations and quality guidelines
• Provide reliable solutions to a wide range of difficult problems using sound problem-solving techniques
• Exemplify Garmin’s Mission Statement and Quality Policy and proactively works to improve Garmin’s image and culture
• Analyze test data and reports to determine if proposed design meets functional/performance specifications
• Evaluate engineering test results for possible application to developments of other systems
• Perform cost/performance tradeoff analysis of different design options
• Participate in recruiting activities as assigned

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Optical Engineering, Bachelor of Arts in Physics, or related field AND a minimum of 5 years relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule)
• Demonstrated strong/excellent and effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Thorough knowledge of optical manufacturing processes such as machining, polishing, molding and optical coatings and production and operations issues as they relate to engineering
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgement in setting schedules, taking risks and completing tasks
• Must demonstrate proficiency with a complex optical components and optical systems

Desired Qualifications

• Extensive optical design experience for consumer or aviation products

Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.

This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits