Sr. Optical Engineer

Company: Supernal
Location: Irvine
Posted on: May 16, 2022

Job Description:

Supernal is at the forefront of creating emerging mobility solutions that will foster the development of human-centered cities. We are designing a completely new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft tailored to the mobility needs of future cities. This allows passengers a seamless intermodal journey that safely transports them to their final destination. We fuse research in autonomy, robotics, aviation and services to define a new category of mobility for the world's communities. We believe in creative thinking and collaboration to help build a better mobility experience for everyone, improving people's ability to move - whether for work or play.
What we do:

The Sr. Optical Engineer will be responsible for leading one or more interior lighting programs at our Irvine facility. This role will design and develop lighting systems, conduct product testing, provide technical support for manufacturing, and proactively lead tasks to meet the requirements, program schedule, and budget. The role will work with other engineering teams, vendors, and industrial designers to define/resolve optical requirements and perform optical design and analysis using industry-standard software.
What you can do:

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  Complete product development and guide the optical design of various aircraft interiors/exteriors lights and other lighting products
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  Develop optical solutions, specifications, and strategies to achieve interior illumination requirements based on vehicle performance requirements
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  Coordinate with project managers, engineers, and designers in understanding workflow, design process, budgets, and targets for completing the design and qualification
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  Perform power budget calculations, LED reliability analysis, color stability, brightness correction, and aging correction
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  Schematic creation and providing guidelines for PCB layout design
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  Perform design and development of Freeform optics, Reflectors, Lens (TIR, Fresnel), and Light guides for Interior & Exterior lighting systems for aerospace applications
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  Follow prototype designs from conception through manufacture
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  Build and lead all aspects of optics-related user documentation for production, including coating specifications, alignment specifications, and acceptance test procedures
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  Work with optics vendors to eliminate manufacturability issues on prototype and production systems
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  Support design and implementation of optical assembly/alignment tooling
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  Interact with production personnel to define, improve and resolve manufacturing/design issues and implement cost reduction ideas about new and current company products
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  Work with vendors and Design Studio to develop color scenes for interior cabin lighting
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  Design and create cabin wash, mood, accent, reading, emergency, and logo lighting systems, as well as backlight safety placards and signs
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  Perform ray tracing, reflectivity, transmissibility, and glare analysis
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  Identify interaction/impact of interior and exterior lighting on flight deck monitors
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  Operate hardware to collect environmental and surface characteristics to be used in the optical cabin lighting analysis
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  Operate lighting simulation and physics realistic lighting rendering tools
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  Build and develop an interior light system that will automatically adjust to exterior lighting conditions, time of day, and direction of travel
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  Build a lighting system that can be securely updated using wireless technology
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  Apply Catia V5 or V6 to create 3D CAD models of lighting elements, attachments, and lighting assembly installation models
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  Create installation, removal, and maintenance instructions for the lighting system
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  Stay abreast of current industry trends and techniques relating to optical design, imaging, microscopy, and precision alignment.
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  Mentor and help train junior Engineers
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  Other duties as assigned
  What you can contribute:
  • 
    Bachelor's degree in Optical/Optoelectronics or related fields
  • 
    5-8 years' experience in optical design and products (an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered)
  • 
    Knowledge of optical components like filters, reflectors, lenses, diffusers and optics, optoelectronics, and Illumination optics
  • 
    Knowledge of photometric & radiometric quantities, formulae, and conversions
  • 
    Understanding of color science and ANSI standards
  • 
    Proficiency with Macro development and automation
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    Experience in LabVIEW, MATLAB, C, and Python
  • 
    Knowledge of the RRCA process
  • 
    Proficiency in CAD tools like Altium, Allegro, Pspice, and LTspice
  • 
    Experience with aircraft electrical power system certification (EASA / FAA part 23 or 25)
  • 
    Deep understanding of your commodity and the tradeoffs among design, packaging, function, product build, weight, cost, customer experience
  • 
    Proficiency in MS Suite
  • 
    Excellent verbal and written communication skills
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    Proactive and efficient delivery of communication and follow up
  • 
    Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • 
    Must have the ability to independently prioritize and accomplish work within time constraints
  • 
    Self-motivated and forward-thinking personality
    You may also be able to contribute:
    • 
      A Master's degree in a related engineering field preferred
    • 
      Knowledge of Aircraft Electrical Wiring Interconnect System
    • 
      Solid understanding of system engineering principles for safety-critical systems (SAE Arp 4754/4761)
    • 
      May require up to 25% of domestic and international travels
      Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background check. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Individuals with disabilities may request to be provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation at: ta-support@supernal.aero
      This position may include access to certain technology and/or software source code, that will be subject to U.S. export control laws. If an export license or other export control authorization is required in connection with your employment, your employment is contingent upon Supernal's receipt of such license or authorization and approvals and your continued compliance with all conditions and limitations contained in such license or authorization.

Keywords: Supernal, Irvine , Sr. Optical Engineer, Engineering , Irvine, California