Clera

Senior Optical Engineer, R&D

San Francisco
Salary
$150,000 - $200,000 annually
Level
Senior
Work type
On-site · San Francisco
Visa
Not offered

Open. First seen 29 October 2026.

Apply on the company's site →

About the role

About the Role

As a senior optical engineering specialist on a defense technology R&D team, you will lead optical design and investigations for autonomous directed-energy hardware. Your work will help turn optical concepts into robust systems built for real-world use.

What You'll Do

  • Lead optical design and analysis for core system components.
  • Run optical investigations and trade studies to guide system-level design decisions.
  • Specify and evaluate optical components and subsystem architectures with vendors and fabricators.
  • Collaborate with mechanical engineers on optical packaging, housing, and integration.
  • Conduct tolerance analysis, performance validation, and design iterations.
  • Guide alignment, characterization, and testing of integrated optical systems.
  • Establish effective practices for optical development, validation, and technical documentation.

What We're Looking For

  • Typically 5 or more years of relevant experience in optical engineering, optical design, physics, or related hardware engineering.
  • Hands-on experience designing and analyzing optical systems that were built and operated, including aligning and characterizing precision optical hardware.
  • Strong command of optical theory and experience debugging hardware and leading investigations from first principles.
  • Experience with optical trade studies, component selection, subsystem architecture, tolerance analysis, and performance validation.
  • Experience collaborating with mechanical engineers on optical packaging and integration.
  • Familiarity with Zemax/OpticStudio or Code V; experience designing high-power laser optics, ruggedized beam delivery, or beam directors is relevant.
  • A BS or MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary: $150,000 to $200,000 annually. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Location

On-site in San Francisco, California, with range days.

The team: Engineering HIRES STEADILY

This role is one of 207 open in Engineering. 141 were posted in the last 30 days and the oldest in March: a team that hires all year rather than one being built.

WHAT THE TEAM WORKS WITH, ACROSS ITS POSTINGS

LLM (102 of 207), TypeScript (90 of 207), Python (82 of 207), React (77 of 207), Machine Learning (45 of 207), Supabase (37 of 207), JavaScript (36 of 207)

OTHER ROLES ON THIS TEAM

From the team and dates on Clera's own job board.

Posting history

Reposted once since 21 October 2026: a posting for this role in San Francisco was taken down and the role was posted again.

  • 29 October 2026 – open (this posting)
  • 21 October 2026 – closed 28 October 2026

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PLACESSan Francisco 7,773United States 72,511
COMPANYJobs at Clera 209

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