Opto-Mechanical Engineer II Santa Clara, CA (Onsite) The Opportunity We are seeking a hands-on, mid-level Opto-Mechanical Engineer to help design, build, align, test, and productize next-generation spectroscopy platforms and gas measurement products. Picarro’s products deliver real-time measurements of critical gases at parts-per-billion and parts-per-trillion levels. As an Opto-Mechanical Engineer II, you will join a world-class team developing high-precision systems based on Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy (CRDS), broadband lasers, and advanced optomechanical assemblies.

This role is intended for an engineer who can contribute independently to defined design, build, test, and troubleshooting activities while continuing to grow into broader technical ownership. The position reports to the Director of Opto-Mechanical Engineering. The Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a practical, hands-on engineer with solid fundamentals in mechanical design, optical alignment, precision assembly, and experimental troubleshooting.

They are comfortable working in the lab, building and debugging complex electro-optomechanical systems, and using data to drive design and process improvements. This individual can own well-scoped technical tasks, collaborate effectively with senior engineers, technicians, manufacturing, and suppliers, and communicate findings clearly. The right person is curious, detail-oriented, and motivated to develop manufacturable, reliable, high-performance products at the intersection of optics, mechanics, electronics, and spectroscopy.

Key Responsibilities

Contribute to the design, build, integration, and transfer of advanced electro-optomechanical systems for Picarro’s next-generation CRDS products. Support prototype and pilot builds, develop and refine assembly and alignment processes, create practical tooling and fixtures, document procedures, troubleshoot build and test issues, and work with cross-functional teams to improve performance, manufacturability, reliability, and yield. Technical Expertise: Hands-On Opto-Mechanical Engineering : Build, align, test, and troubleshoot high-precision optomechanical assemblies while contributing to design improvements and process development.

Optical Component Expertise : Work with near-infrared optical components such as lasers, detectors, isolators, fiber components, mirrors, lenses, filters, and coated optics. Precision Design and Alignment : Apply sound mechanical design, tolerancing, materials selection, and active/passive alignment methods to maintain micron-level precision and optical stability. Attachment and Packaging Techniques : Use or develop optical attachment and packaging methods, including UV/thermal epoxies, soldering, clamping, precision fixturing, and other approaches that improve manufacturability and reliability.

Test, Reliability, and Root Cause Analysis : Plan and execute engineering tests, collect and analyze data, support reliability testing, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions. CRDS and Spectroscopy Systems : Develop deeper understanding of CRDS instruments, laser-based spectroscopy, and the interaction between optical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software subsystems. Tooling and Fixture Development : Design, build, qualify, and improve tooling, fixtures, and lab setups for prototype assembly, optical alignment, test, and pilot production support.

Documentation and Technical Standards : Create clear drawings, work instructions, test procedures, build records, and engineering documentation that support repeatability, transfer, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

and Experience BS in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field; MS preferred. Typically 3–5 years of hands-on experience in opto-mechanical design, precision mechanical design, optical instrumentation, prototype development, or related hardware engineering.