--- title: 'Staff Optical Engineer at MicroVision' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/staff-optical-engineer-microvision-orlando-xk5kbtbv2e7b' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-07' --- # Staff Optical Engineer at MicroVision - **Company:** MicroVision - **Location:** Orlando, FL - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-04-13 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-07 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/microvision/5c44c9d9-ab8b-4014-951b-ac8c37ca0808 ## Job description About us: MicroVision is at the forefront of driving the global adoption of innovative perception solutions, with the goal of making mobility and autonomy safer. Our engineering excellence, based in Washington State, Washington D.C., Hamburg, Germany and Orlando, Florida, enables us to develop and supply integrated lidar hardware and perception software solutions. Our proprietary technologies enhance safety and automation across various industrial applications, including robotics, automated warehouses, and agriculture, and are instrumental in the development of autonomous systems. MicroVision’s core technology, initially developed for the automotive industry, continues to accelerate advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving. Building on our history of providing technology to the military segment, our target offerings include semi- and fully autonomous airborne and terrestrial sensor systems. With our solid-state lidar technologies, encompassing FMCW and MEMS-based long-range lidar and flash-based short-range lidar, integrated with our onboard perception software, MicroVision possesses the expertise to deliver safe mobility at the speed of life. To strengthen our team at the Orlando location, we are looking for a Staff Optical Engineer. As a key member of MicroVision's Optical Systems Engineering team, you will collaborate with various technical teams in the company to design and take into production market defining Automotive LiDAR product. Summary: In this role you will support the design, analysis, and realization of advanced LiDAR optical architectures. This role blends optical component ownership with significant interaction at the optical system level, supporting new product development from concept through early build phases. The engineer in this position will be responsible for defining optical component requirements, performing detailed analysis, and working directly with global optical suppliers to ensure designs meet performance, manufacturability, and quality expectations. This role emphasizes strong technical ownership, hands‑on validation, and close collaboration across optical, opto‑mechanical, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams. Objectives of This Role: Own optical component and subsystem definitions within LiDAR architectures Translate system‑level performance needs into clear optical requirements and specifications Ensure optical designs are robust, tolerant, and manufacturable Serve as a technical interface between internal teams and external optical suppliers Yourresponsibilities: Design and analyze optical components and subsystems using Zemax (OpticStudio) Perform optical system analysis, including performance trade studies and sensitivity assessments Conduct FRED based non sequential and stray light analysis Perform optical tolerance analysis to assess alignment and manufacturing sensitivities Support lens design, optimization, and performance evaluation Define and document lens requirements, coatings and optical specifications Develop and execute optical lab setups for model validation and hardware characterization Work closely with global optical suppliers to review designs, specifications, and manufacturing approaches Provide technical guidance and review of optical designs and analyses across programs, ensuring consistency, rigor, and best‑practice application Collaborate with opto-mechanical engineers to define alignment strategies and tolerances Support documentation, reviews, and technical decision making throughout development phases Our requirements: 7–15+ years of industry experience in optical engineering with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Optics, Physics or related field. Strong proficiency with Zemax (OpticStudio) for modeling, optimization, and tolerance analysis Hands‑on experience with lens design and optical component development Demonstrated ability to perform optical system‑level analysis ## Experience defining optical requirements and specifications Hands-on experience developing and analyzing solutions using MATLAB, Python, or similar programming tools Experience defining and reviewing optical coating specifications Hands‑on experience designing and executing optical lab setups Experience working with global suppliers on optical components Ability to work across modeling, lab validation, and design iteration cycles ## Preferred Qualifications Experience using FRED for stray light and non‑sequential optical analysis ## Experience with laser‑based optical systems Background in LiDAR, imaging systems, or active optical sensors Familiarity with opto‑mechanical integration and alignment methods Experience supporting new product development or early production builds Experience interacting directly with optical vendors during development cycles MS or PhD in Optical Engineering MicroVision offers a flexible work schedule that could include a hybrid schedule of onsite and remote work, subject to team and business needs.  Individual work schedules will be at the discretion of management and dependent on role and business needs.  You must live and reside within commuting distance from MicroVision’s office in Orlando, FL. We are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.  You must be able to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. Benefits: MicroVision is proud to offer a comprehensive benefit program including: Competitive compensation and equity program Choice between an HSA Medical plan with 100% employer-paid premiums for employees and generous contributions or a Buy-Up PPO Medical plan Buy-Up PPO Dental plan 100% employer-paid for employees Vision coverage 100% employer-paid for employees 401(k) plan with company match to help you save for your future (50% of your contributions up to the first 6% of your eligible pay) Generous time off package including a flexible vacation program as well as incidental personal/sick days and standard holidays Supplemental pay for Parental Leave Company-paid basic life and AD&D insurance and long-term disability MicroVision is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.  MicroVision is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran or any other basis prohibited by local, state or federal law.  Please let us know if you need reasonable accommodation in completing the application, attending and/or participating in an interview or in taking any test required for employment. MicroVision is an E-Verify participant.  We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employees’ Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.  Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants. Visit our website at www.microvision.com to learn more about our company. ## About MicroVision ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: MicroVision is a global leader in solid-state lidar sensors and perception software enabling ADAS, autonomous driving, industrial automation, and security & defense applications. - **Entity Type**: Public — NASDAQ: MVIS - **Headquarters**: Redmond, Washington, USA (additional offices in Detroit, USA and Hamburg, Germany) - **Founded**: 1993 - **Founders**: Not named in cited sources (company founded as a pioneer in MEMS-based laser beam scanning technology) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Lidar hardware and perception software for autonomy and mobility — serving Automotive, Industrial, and Security & Defense markets - **Target customers**: Automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, industrial mobility and autonomy companies (robotics, automated warehouse, agriculture, mining), and security & defense contractors — primarily B2B/Enterprise - **Mission or purpose statement**: "Defining the next generation of lidar-based perception solutions" — delivering integrated hardware and software built for real-world performance, automotive-grade reliability, and economic scalability. ## Products & Services - **MOVIA™**: Flash-based solid-state short- to mid-range lidar sensor for near-field perception. - **MAVIN™**: MEMS-based 905nm long-range lidar sensor capable of small object detection at distance. - **IRIS**: 1550nm time-of-flight long-range lidar (acquired from Luminar Technologies); achieved start of production in April 2024 and is currently in vehicles for road data collection and system training. - **HALO**: Next-generation 1550nm long-range lidar built on the IRIS architecture with improved performance and reduced size/cost (acquired from Luminar). - **Scantinel 1550nm FMCW Lidar**: Lidar-on-chip solution using frequency-modulated continuous wave technology, targeting long-range use cases with particular advantages for commercial vehicles (acquired January 2026). - **SENTINEL**: Full-stack software platform (under development) supporting safety and autonomy applications for passenger vehicles and commercial trucks. - **Perception Software Stack**: Automotive-qualified software with advanced features like localization and fusion, plus customer-specific application software development. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed in cited sources; publicly traded on NASDAQ as MVIS - **Key Metric**: Public company — detailed financial results available in the March 2026 10-K filing; deep IP portfolio of **735 issued and pending patents** (more than any peer, per company materials) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Specific investors not cited; notable strategic acquisitions include Ibeo Automotive Systems GmbH (January 2023), Scantinel Photonics GmbH assets (January 2026), and the worldwide lidar business of Luminar Technologies, Inc. (February 2026) - **Growth Signals**: - Completed two major strategic acquisitions within two months (Scantinel and Luminar lidar business), significantly expanding the product portfolio and market reach - Only lidar company claiming 50+ years of combined experience (via Ibeo heritage) - Engineering teams in the U.S. and Germany; delivers products into automotive, mobility, agriculture, and warehousing industries - Open roles listed across digital design (RTL), hardware design, product engineering, program management, HR, and IT — indicating active hiring ## Competitive Advantages - **Broadest solid-state portfolio**: Multiple lidar architectures (flash, MEMS, 1550nm ToF, 1550nm FMCW) on a unified core technology, spanning raw point clouds to an open software framework — rare breadth in the lidar industry. - **Automotive-grade pedigree**: Ibeo launched the first lidar sensor to be automotive-qualified for serial production with a premium Tier 1 supplier, currently in passenger cars from premium OEMs. - **Deep IP moat**: 735 issued and pending patents, built on 30+ years of MEMS laser beam scanning expertise. - **Vertical integration**: Combined hardware + software + edge computing expertise, allowing delivery of high-value, low-power products with customer-specific application software. - **Strategic consolidation**: Acquisitions of Ibeo, Scantinel, and Luminar's lidar business position MicroVision as one of the few surviving consolidators in a heavily shaken-out lidar market. ## Strategic Focus - **ADAS and autonomy expansion**: Targeting advanced driver assistance systems and autonomy features across automotive, commercial vehicle, and industrial markets. - **Commercial vehicle push**: The 1550nm FMCW Scantinel solution is specifically cited for compelling advantages in the commercial vehicle market. - **Security & defense growth**: Leveraging 3D point cloud + real-time mapping capabilities for surveillance, search and rescue, and GNSS-denied environments. - **Software-defined lidar**: Building out the SENTINEL full-stack software platform as a safety/autonomy layer across vehicle classes. - **Cost engineering**: Design-to-cost engineering and economic scalability to win mass-market OEM programs. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: MicroVision describes itself as a place where employees "work with a team of exceptionally talented engineers and thought leaders looking to change the future of mobility" — encouraging innovation, collaboration, and boldness. The company is "generous with knowledge—open and accessible" and committed to inclusion and diverse hiring. - **Work model**: Multi-country collaboration across offices in Redmond, Detroit, and Hamburg; engineering teams in the U.S. and Germany. - **Benefits**: - **Unlimited vacation** — with a strong company push to take at least 10 days off per year for intentional rest - **Healthcare**: Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug insurance; full coverage for employees and up to 70% for dependents - **401(k)**: Immediate eligibility with 50% match on the first 6% of employee contribution - **Income protection**: Basic life and AD&D insurance at no cost - **Parental leave**: Supplemental pay benefits matching usual weekly earnings for medical leave (pregnancy or bonding with a new child) - **Growth opportunity**: As a growing company, employees are encouraged to "take on more than their job description asks" and "learn unfamiliar skills" — suited for people who want creative solutions for what hasn't been done before. - **Active hiring areas**: Digital design (Sr. RTL Engineer, Staff RTL Engineer), hardware design, product engineering, program management, corporate HR, and IT. ## Sources 1. [microvision.com](https://microvision.com/) 2. [microvision.com/about/careers](https://microvision.com/about/careers) 3. [ir.microvision.com — 10-K Filing (03/04/2026)](https://ir.microvision.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001493152-26-008898/0001493152-26-008898.pdf) 4. [jobs.lever.co/microvision](https://jobs.lever.co/microvision) 5. [ir.microvision.com/company-information](https://ir.microvision.com/company-information) ## Other roles at MicroVision - [Director of People Operations](https://feeny.ai/job/director-of-people-operations-microvision-orlando-c9svpy5whnkb) — Orlando, FL - [Launch Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/launch-program-manager-microvision-orlando-ckbmggbj4k7g) — Orlando, FL - [Customer Quality Resident Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/customer-quality-resident-engineer-microvision-orlando-j9gvcqey6yg2) — Orlando, FL - [Sr Systems Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-systems-test-engineer-microvision-orlando-9t3xsjdcfqhv) — Orlando, FL - [Senior Electrical Engineering Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-electrical-engineering-technician-microvision-orlando-wxc7ms7adq9m) — Orlando, FL - [Senior Electrical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-electrical-engineer-microvision-orlando-gm7azeb06szf) — Orlando, FL - [Staff Electrical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-electrical-engineer-microvision-orlando-3rr9xw8hjswa) — Orlando, FL - [Sr. Staff Electrical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-staff-electrical-engineer-microvision-orlando-vz4j4skzxx57) — Orlando, FL - [Sr. RTL Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-rtl-engineer-microvision-orlando-qpx44dd5wv1f) — Orlando, FL - [Staff RTL Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-rtl-engineer-microvision-orlando-1hz2pbqer7nr) — Orlando, FL