Job Description
Opto-Mechanical Engineering Manager
Orlando, FL | On-Site | Full-Time
ABOUT THE COMPANY
An established defense and aerospace optics manufacturer with 40+ years of production history supporting mission-critical programs across the U.S. military. Their portfolio spans cooled and uncooled IR camera systems, precision-molded optics, and proprietary IR glass materials - all designed, manufactured, and tested in-house in Orlando, FL. With active programs supporting the Navy, Army, and DHS, this is a proven production house with growing demand and the infrastructure to support it.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a hands-on leadership role at the intersection of engineering and production. As the book of defense business continues to grow we are seeking someone who can own the opto-mechanical engineering function - not manage it from a distance. You'll be designing ruggedized IR assemblies for programs that matter, building and enforcing standards, and developing the team beneath you. The person who thrives here is equally comfortable in Creo as they are in a design review or on the production floor.
WHAT YOU'LL OWN
- Lead design and development of SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR optical assemblies from concept through production release.
- Translate optical prescriptions into manufacturable opto-mechanical designs - managing CTE, preload, centration, tilt, and stress control.
- Define and implement lens mounting, retention, and alignment strategies for demanding thermal and vibration environments.
- Own CAD models, drawings, and configuration control in Creo Parametric; ensure compliance with GD&T and internal standards.
- Drive DFM/DFA in partnership with manufacturing engineers and suppliers - diamond turning, precision machining, coatings, and adhesive processes.
- Oversee multi-lens assembly including passive and active alignment; support material and coating selection.
- Lead environmental qualification efforts - thermal cycling, shock/vibration, sealing, venting, and contamination control.
- Perform and review tolerance analyses to ensure assemblies meet stringent optical performance requirements.
- Build and enforce design standards, best practices, and review processes across the team.
- Mentor and develop engineers through coaching, structured feedback, and technical review.
- Collaborate with program managers and customers to deliver on schedule, cost, and performance.
WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- 5+ years of opto-mechanical design experience with a focus on production IR systems (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR).
- You have personally owned athermal mount designs - you can speak to CTE management, preload strategies, and environmental performance from experience, not theory.
- Advanced Creo Parametric user - complex assemblies, family tables, configuration management, drawing packages.
- Hands-on with DFM/DFA for IR hardware: diamond turning, precision CNC, glass molding, IR coatings, adhesive bonding.
- Proficient in GD&T and tolerance stack-up for strict centration, tilt, and runout requirements.
- Have taken assemblies through full MIL-STD-810 qualification - thermal, vibration, shock, sealing.
- 3+ years leading or managing a technical team; you've set design standards and grown people, not just managed workload.
- B.S. in Mechanical or Opto-Mechanical Engineering required; M.S. preferred.
- Orlando, FL based or willing to relocate. This role is on-site.
