Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?

This role in our R&D location in Lake Forest, CA is part of Alcon's Engineering function, a team focused on improving  quality, processes, products, packaging and materials across our business to help deliver brilliant outcomes.

The Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer is primarily responsible for leading teams in designing, validating, and optimizing optical components and systems. You will conduct advanced research, ensure high-precision designs, and develop innovative optical solutions.

In this role, a typical day will include:

• Oversee multiple optical engineering projects, leading teams in the design, validation, and optimization of optical components and systems

• Conduct advanced research on light behavior, material properties, and optical performance

• Ensure designs meet high-precision and regulatory requirements

• Apply deep expertise in optical modeling and decision-making on system architectures

• Collaborate cross-functionally to develop cutting-edge optical solutions

• Adhere to GxP regulations by strictly following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), maintaining accurate and complete documentation, ensuring rigorous quality control, and completing all required training

• Commit to continuous improvement and contribute to the overall compliance of the organization

• Apply in-depth knowledge of Opto-Mechanical Engineering in Ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization surgical instrumentation domain as SME across a range of engineering disciplines including, Mechanical Design, Opto-mechanics, Optics, Fiber Optics, Material Science, Precision Machining, Imaging, Illumination, Microscope and Optical Systems Design.

• Perform Opto-mechanical design including lens barrel and lens housing design, lens bonding and mounting techniques, and opto-mechanical analysis including thermal, environmental, shock & vibration, system integration and stability tolerance study.

• Conduct design, research, development, and process upscaling for new medical device products.

• Investigate and evaluate existing technology and designs new methodology, materials, machines, or processes as needed for Ophthalmic medical device development. Design, assembly, alignment, measurement, testing, analysis, and troubleshooting of diagnostics and visualization devices.

• Understand operation principles for optomechanical and electromechanical actuators and sensors and integrate these within complex sub-systems.

• Generate detailed parts fabrication drawings including GD&T and tolerance analysis.

• Support medical device development activities such as prototyping, testing, pilot builds, V&V, risk assessment, and ramp-up to production release.

• Support all aspects of documentation and design control through PECN, ECN, ECP in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform (Windchill preferred).

• Develop assembling and alignment fixtures for prototype fabrication and create associated manufacturing assembling (MAP) and manufacturing testing processes (MTP).

• Support concurrent engineering activities, design control and transition to manufacturing.

• Technical lead for feasibility study and new product development ensuring that design activities are conducted following Alcon SOPs.

• Derive product design requirements based on top-level commercial input.

• Identify technical, project schedule, and commercial viability risks.

• Run cross-functional design trade-off and technical reviews to drive design decisions.

• Work effectively with cross-functional development teams including Optics, Mechanical, Electrical, Software, QA, Industrial Design and Manufacturing functions.

• Team player/collaboration aptitude with strong sense of accountability and perseverance to lead and drive projects through to completion.

• Make contributions to ideations, patent portfolio and the corporation strategy development.

 

What You'll Bring to Alcon:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs) 

• The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English

• 5 Years of Relevant Experience

• Relocation assistance: Yes

• Sponsorship available: No

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Extensive relevant experience in Opto-mechanical engineering of medical devices or similar highly regulated products.

• Proficiency in CREO (Pro-E), SolidWorks, or Equivalent CAD skills (CREO preferred) in PLM or Windchill environment.

• Strong background with design and development of Imaging system such as Microscope, Eyepiece, telescope, zoom lens as well as ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization devices.

• Proficiency in opto-mechanical system design, optical alignment technology, tolerance analysis, material selection, design for athermalization, bonding and assembly processes.

• Experienced with FEA tool such as ANSYS, and familiar with MATLAB, LabView.

• Knowledge of optical design tool such as ZEMAX, Code V, and familiar with optical/mechanical design integrating process.

• In-depth ophthalmic domain knowledge (Cataract, Vit-Ret, Refractive Surgery, or Diagnostics).

• Solid understanding of Design Controls according to 21 CFR 820 or ISO 13485.

• Proficient in Failure Mode Effects Analysis and Risk Management application to medical devices.

• Experienced with Motion Control and manufacturing automation is a Plus.

• Industry standard tools and methods for optical, mechanical and optomechanical engineering are essential.

• Domain knowledge in Optics, Opto-mechanics, Fiber Optics, Imaging, Illumination and Visualization.

• Optical and Optomechanical metrology and testing practices.

• Broad knowledge of precision manufacturing techniques and familiarity with assembly of micro-optical and miniature optomechanical components.

• Understanding of architecture design, requirements and risk management, medical device V&V, reusable, and single-use consumable medical devices.

• Biomedical product or medical device development experience.

• Vendor and supplier management for optical components, complex sub-systems, or OEM.

How You Can Thrive at Alcon:

• Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!

• Alcon provides robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off, and much more!

Alcon Careers

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Compensation and Benefits

Alcon’s Total Rewards programs are designed to align incentives with business objectives, support our values, and deliver long‑term value. Our compensation approach includes a combination of fixed and variable pay, with short‑term and long‑term incentive opportunities for eligible roles. Our benefits offerings are designed to support associates and their families across key life events, including programs that promote health and well‑being, provide financial security, and support retirement planning.

The salary range posted represents the anticipated hiring range for this role. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location, and internal equity, and may fall outside the posted range.

  

Pay Range

130,900.00 - 169,400.00

  

Pay Frequency

Annual

  

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to alcon.recruitment@alcon.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.