Product Development Engineer (R&D)

Location: Santa Clara, CA

Role Summary: We are seeking an experienced and innovative Product Development Engineer to join our dynamic R&D team. This position is pivotal to our prototype development initiatives, requiring the transformation of novel optical concepts from functional benchtop systems into production-ready products. The successful candidate will contribute significantly throughout the product development lifecycle, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, build and test advanced laser-based systems and cutting-edge optical prototypes. The role reports directly to the R&D Director of Opto-Mechanical Engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

· Contribute to the opto-mechanical design and development of advanced optical systems, with emphasis on early-stage prototyping and subsequent transition to pilot production.

· Prepare Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) reflecting current methodologies, formulate new processes aligned with industry best practices, establish and maintain assembly and testing stations, and facilitate staff training.

· Evaluate and select suitable commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) as well as custom-designed optical, mechanical, and electro-optical components, considering performance criteria, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturability.

· Leverage strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to address technical challenges within a dynamic research and development environment.

Must Haves:

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.

· Three to five years of direct experience in electro-optomechanical component testing, prototype development, and system design.

· Proficient at troubleshooting electro-optomechanical assemblies and electrical PCBs using circuit diagrams.

· Demonstrated ability to lay out, assemble, and align complex optical benchtop setups while ensuring accurate optical performance and stability.

· Thorough knowledge of optical principles, including aberrations, polarization, and light propagation.

· Extensive experience selecting optical components—such as lenses, mirrors, prisms, filters, and detectors—for diverse applications and mounting approaches.

· Skilled in developing and executing test plans to characterize and validate optical prototypes, resolve technical issues, and implement design enhancements.

· Familiarity with metrology tools and techniques for optical alignment and characterization.

· Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the capacity to clearly articulate technical concepts.

· Ability to operate independently as well as collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

· Experience with scripting or programming for data analysis and instrument control.

Nice-to-Haves:

· Demonstrated expertise in electro-optomechanical packaging and micro-optics, with careful consideration for thermal management and assembly processes.

· Experienced in highly reflective coatings, fiber optic technologies, adherence to cleanroom protocols, and implementation of effective cleaning techniques for optical components.

· Proficient in the selection and application of various optical epoxies and operating dispense systems.

· Experienced in conducting comprehensive environmental testing, including vibration, shock, and thermal assessments.

· Successfully transitioned NPI production lines into full-scale manufacturing environments.

The base salary range for this full-time position is $120K to $130K. Our total compensation packages includes base salary, bonus eligibility, and equity.Your base salary range and title will be determined based on the location, experience, qualification, skills, knowledge, level, and pay of employees in similar positions.

We offer a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) plans
• Life, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Employee Referral Program
• 401K
• Social events (summer picnic, holiday party, team lunches, etc.)
• On-site Health & Wellness programs (fitness challenges, outdoor bootcamp, flu-shots, etc.)

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at [email protected] for assistance.