Optics Engineer

About BecomingBecoming is building Developmental Intelligence: AI for predicting how organisms change over time.Most experimental systems fail when metabolic demands become too high. We are building systems that don't - by combining engineered metabolic environments, sensing, control, and software into tightly integrated products that operate reliably over long time horizons.Hardware is core to our platform. It must work continuously, predictably, and under real biological constraints.The RoleWe are hiring an Optics Engineer to architect and own optical subsystems within Becoming's integrated hardware platform.This is a senior builder role. You will design stable, production-grade optical systems that integrate tightly with mechanical structures, electronics, firmware, and data systems - and you will be accountable for their real-world performance.This is not a research imaging role. You will think in terms of alignment stability, signal integrity, manufacturability, and long-duration runtime.You will define specifications, make architecture decisions, and own outcomes.What You'll OwnEnd-to-end ownership of optical subsystems inside complex hardware platforms Optical path architecture: illumination, detection, filtering, and signal optimization Component selection with attention to stability, lifecycle, and manufacturability Mechanical integration and alignment strategy under thermal and environmental constraints Electrical integration of detectors and signal acquisition systems Signal-to-noise optimization and drift mitigation Calibration frameworks and long-term stability validation Prototyping, stress testing, and failure analysis Documentation and standards that enable scalingWho You AreYou are someone who:Operates with high agency - you identify problems, define solutions, and executeTakes end-to-end ownership of what you buildBrings high energy to complex, ambiguous engineering challengesActs with high integrity - you are honest about tradeoffs, risks, and failure modesCommunicates directly and clearly, especially when something won't workIs self-aware about your strengths and gaps, and proactively fills themThinks like a systems integrator, not a narrow specialistCares deeply about understanding systems at a first-principles levelRequirementsHave built optical systems that operated outside of controlled lab demos Think in systems, not just ray traces Understand how optical decisions impact mechanical tolerances and electrical noise Surface limitations and risks clearly Prefer robust architectures over fragile precision Stay composed debugging signal degradation in live systems Raise the technical bar around youYou take responsibility for whether the signal holds up over time - not just whether the design simulated correctly.Strong SignalsDegree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or equivalent demonstrated depth Experience designing and shipping integrated optical systems Strong first-principles understanding of optical design and detection physics Experience integrating optics with mechanical and electrical platforms Demonstrated ownership of systems operating under real-world constraints Ability to operate without rigid process scaffolding or heavy vendor abstractionBenefitsCompetitive salary and meaningful equityFull benefitsHigh-trust, high-ownership environmentRapid growth in scope and responsibility

Created: 2026-04-15