Lens Module Design Engineer – FMCW LiDAR

About Voyant

Voyant Photonics is transforming machine perception with a new class of LiDAR devices that are compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand and powerful enough to measure range, velocity, and reflectivity with unparalleled accuracy. By leveraging cutting-edge silicon photonic chips smaller than your fingertip, we deliver sensors that are not only revolutionary in performance but also affordable enough to integrate into any system.

Our technology disrupts the status quo of bulky, expensive, and power-hungry LiDAR systems, making high-precision sensing accessible for widespread adoption in robotics, autonomous vehicles, drones, industrial automation, and beyond. With Voyant, the next generation of machines can see, understand, and navigate the world like never before.

Discover how we’re redefining what’s possible by making real products out of cutting-edge research in silicon photonics.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Lens Module Design Engineer to lead the design and development of compact optical assemblies for our silicon photonics-based FMCW LiDAR systems. This role focuses on both micro-optic and centimeter-scale optical paths and requires understanding of physical beam propagation as well as optical system tolerancing to produce optimal system performance at the interface between free-space beams and our integrated silicon waveguides.

This role requires deep understanding of imaging optics, tolerancing, assembly techniques, physical beam propagation, and design for manufacturability at micron-scale accuracies.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, tolerance, and procure precision imaging lens assemblies for the free-space path in a silicon photonics-based FMCW LiDAR system.

• Engineer receive optics to maintain minimal wavefront error and angular deviation to ensure high-efficiency coupling into grating couplers or butt-coupled waveguides.

• Model and validate optical systems using Zemax OpticStudio and FRED, including tolerancing and thermal/mechanical sensitivity analyses.

• Own cost-effective assembly of optical subsystems in high volume.

• Collaborate with photonic and packaging teams to define optical reference planes, establish beam parameters (e.g., NA, MFD), and optimize lens–chip alignment strategies.

• Support optomechanical integration, including alignment fixture design, optical stack-up tolerances, and adhesive/cure effects on beam propagation.

• Define and execute characterization plans for lens modules, including wavefront error, chromatic shift, and beam propagation measurements.

• Work with manufacturing partners to transition prototypes into scalable assemblies with passive or active alignment features.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field

• 3+ years of experience in optical or lens design for imaging, LiDAR, sensing, telecom, or integrated photonics

• Experience with free-space-to-waveguide coupling, beam delivery, or fiber alignment optics is strongly preferred

• Familiarity with optical modeling tools and physical beam propagation is a plus

Technical Skills

• Strong foundation in Gaussian beam propagation, mode coupling, and aberration theory

• Hands-on experience with waveguide coupling (grating, edge, evanescent), laser collimation, and optomechanical integration

• Proficiency in lens design software and understanding of optical tolerances, coatings, polarization effects, and surface quality specs

Execution & Collaboration

• Demonstrated ability to debug alignment, coupling losses, and design issues

• Collaborative mindset with experience integrating optics into photonic, mechanical, and electrical subsystems.

• Skilled at balancing performance, manufacturability, and environmental robustness

• Strong communicator and collaborator across multidisciplinary teams

• Comfortable in a fast-paced, iterative environment with evolving requirements

• Strong ownership mindset with high standards for design rigor and execution.

• Able to clearly articulate optical design trade-offs and system-level implications across multidisciplinary teams.

• Collaborative mindset with experience integrating optics into photonic, mechanical, and electrical subsystems.

Benefits Package

• Competitive salary and meaningful equity package

• Comprehensive health benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision)

• Unlimited PTO and paid company holidays

• Team events and company meetups

• Hybrid or remote work environment with monthly travel for remote employees.