Wilcox Industries is looking for a Staff Optical Engineering Manager to support and help shape future growth of our optical products portfolio. The Staff Optical Engineering Manager will be responsible for overseeing the optical engineering department, as well as guiding the team in the design, development, and optimization of products. This role requires a strategic leader with a deep understanding of optical engineering principles, exceptional project management skills, and the ability to collaborate across multiple disciplines to achieve company goals. This role demands a balance of technical expertise, managerial acumen, and strategic vision.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of senior and junior optical engineers / optical process engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.

• Manage performance, provide constructive feedback, and support career development for team members.

• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and training of new engineering staff.

• Develop and implement strategic plans for optical engineering initiatives, aligning with overall company objectives and growth strategies.

• Identify opportunities for process improvements, technology adoption, and innovation to enhance optical engineering capabilities and project outcomes.

• Provide technical guidance and support in the resolution of complex technical challenges and design issues.

• Document and implement best practices in optical engineering.

• Promote effective communication and teamwork within the optical engineering department and across the organization.

• Review and approve optical designs, simulations, and experimental setups.

• Review and approve optical manufacturing processes.

• Interface with customers to understand their optical system requirements and provide technical support.

• Contribute, review and approve testing plans and validation processes for electro-optics products.

• Support business development efforts by contributing optical engineering knowledge to the writing of proposals, white papers, responding to RFIs, and participating in proposal reviews.

• Work closely with Program Managers to establish technical work breakdown structure for optical engineering tasks on development programs.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for optical engineering matters, both internally and with external stakeholders.

• Generate and present technical briefings to company staff and customers when requested.

• Contribute innovative ideas for product development and process improvement efforts.

  Qualifications & Requirements

  Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• 15+ years of experience in an optical engineering role or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with at least 3-5 years in a managerial or leadership role.

• Knowledgeable in product development throughout the entire product lifecycle, including design reviews and test readiness reviews.

• Strong track record of successful management of direct reports and team leadership in a high-tech or engineering-intensive environment.

• Strong track record of designing and developing fielded products. 

• Ability to lead highly technical engineers.

• Ability to mentor junior engineers.

• Project Management skills.

• Ability to self-manage/self-direct projects and communicate with engineering staff regularly.

• Ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently with changing deadlines and priorities.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Microsoft 365, Teams).

• Proposal writing experience.

• Proficiency in optical design software (e.g., Zemax, Code V).

• Familiarity with FDA regulatory and compliance requirements for optical systems.

• Ability to calculate laser safety classes of various lasers.

• Demonstrated leadership ability while working well in a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communications skills.

• Must be able to maintain composure in dealing with executives, customers, and staff, occasionally under conditions of urgency and in pressure situations.

• Motivated, self-directed and highly organized with strong problem solving and analytical skills.

• Ability to adapt to modern software and work methodologies.

• Regular on-site attendance is a necessary function of this position. 

• Wilcox is a U.S. government defense contractor, and this position requires access to export-controlled technology. Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access U.S. government-controlled technology prior to beginning work

  Preferred

• Master’s degree or Ph. D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience with military standards, specifically MIL-STD-461 and MIL-STD-810. 

• Experience with US Department of Defense contracts and requirements. 

• Experience working on weapon sights or handheld targeting systems.

• Experience in designing and / or implementing departmental change.

  Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work in an office environment and occasionally in an assembly area.

• Must be able to lift to 50 pounds.

• Ability to differentiate between colored wires, tabs, and electronic components.

• Must have ability to occasionally assemble products for demonstrations.

  **Compensation offered may vary depending upon job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  

  Wilcox provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

  Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

   

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