{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"7a33813a14dc6eab34e8a1ab","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7a33813a14dc6eab34e8a1ab","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7a33813a14dc6eab34e8a1ab","title":"Optical Systems Engineer","description":"About fab2\n\nThe fab2 team can build anything. We design all the hardware and software needed to make chips and we make the fabs, tools, and components ourselves.\n\nWe're looking for exceptional, hands-on people who can iterate to the limits of what's possible.\n\nfab2 was founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. Sam is best known for making chips in his garage, and Jim has been a leader in the semiconductor industry for the past 40 years.\n\nAbout the team\n\nThe Precision Team operates on the nanometer scale. We make lithography, metrology and motion systems that pattern, inspect and characterize our chips in order to push our process to lower nodes.\n\nAbout the role\nWe are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Optical Systems Engineer to join our team. This role is for someone who has a proven track record of rapidly prototyping complex optical systems and advancing them to the next stage of production. Our philosophy is to get things built and tested in days or weeks, not months. Because of this, a portfolio is generally required to apply: show us the things you’ve actually built!\n\nThe core responsibility of the job is the design, assembly, testing, and debugging of new optical systems and the associated mechanical components. You’ll be responsible for building new systems as well as integrating off-the-shelf products, such as motion stages and metrology equipment.\n\nResponsibilities\n\nDesign, prototype, and develop precision optical and optomechanical components and systems\n\nBuild, align, and test optical systems on the bench\n\nBuild new systems and integrate off-the-shelf products, such as motion stages and metrology equipment\n\nPerform detailed analysis and simulation to evaluate system designs and meet constraints, including optical performance modeling\n\nWork with suppliers to source components and materials, including custom optics fabrication\n\nDesign lens mounting components and methods\n\nRequired Experience\n\nBachelor's degree or higher in Optical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Physics, or Mechanical Engineering with demonstrated optical design work\n\n3+ years of industry experience designing and implementing optical systems\n\nWorking fluency in optical design and analysis: first-order layout, aberration theory, tolerance analysis and Monte Carlo yield prediction, and stray light analysis\n\nFamiliarity with Zemax or similar optical simulation tools, including both sequential and non-sequential ray tracing\n\nHands-on optical alignment and test experience. For example interferometry wavefront error measurement, and troubleshooting\n\nMechanical 3D CAD experience\n\nNice-to-have\n\nWorking knowledge of precision machine design fundamentals: exact-constraint design, kinematic couplings, flexures, error budgeting, structural loops, and tolerance analysis\n\nStructural, Thermal, Optical Performance: modeling how mechanical deflection and thermal drift degrade optical performance\n\nExperience with UV or DUV (deep ultraviolet) wavelengths, including material, coating, and contamination constraints\n\nExperience at an early-stage startup\n\nFamiliarity with firmware, controls, or electrical engineering\n\nWorking at fab2\n\nWe’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and labs/offices in Austin, TX, Lockhart, TX, and San Francisco, CA.\n\nCompensation: fab2 is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The annual salary range for this role is $130,000 – $200,000. Compensation is determined based on your qualifications and experience. Our total compensation package also includes generous equity in fab2.\n\nBenefits: fab2 offers the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:\n\nMedical, Dental, and Vision insurance\n\nGenerous Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time\n\nVisa Sponsorship\n\nLife and Disability Insurance\n\nPaid Parental Leave\n\n401(k) retirement plan\n\nWeekly Learning & Development opportunities\n\nCommuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office\n\nLunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts\n\nWe are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.\n\nExport Control Analysis: This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.\n\nfab2, formerly known as Atomic Semi\n\nCompensation Range: $130K - $200K","company":"Fab2","rawCompany":"fab2","city":"Austin","state":"TX","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-09-15T08:32:20.814Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2199.07","title":"Photonics Engineers","slug":"photonics-engineers"},{"code":"17-2199.06","title":"Microsystems Engineers","slug":"microsystems-engineers"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"}],"industries":[{"code":"334413","title":"Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing","slug":"semiconductor-and-related-device-manufacturing"},{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"334519","title":"Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing","slug":"other-measuring-and-controlling-device-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Optical Systems Engineer","description":"About fab2\n\nThe fab2 team can build anything. We design all the hardware and software needed to make chips and we make the fabs, tools, and components ourselves.\n\nWe're looking for exceptional, hands-on people who can iterate to the limits of what's possible.\n\nfab2 was founded by Sam Zeloof and Jim Keller. Sam is best known for making chips in his garage, and Jim has been a leader in the semiconductor industry for the past 40 years.\n\nAbout the team\n\nThe Precision Team operates on the nanometer scale. We make lithography, metrology and motion systems that pattern, inspect and characterize our chips in order to push our process to lower nodes.\n\nAbout the role\nWe are seeking a highly skilled and hands-on Optical Systems Engineer to join our team. This role is for someone who has a proven track record of rapidly prototyping complex optical systems and advancing them to the next stage of production. Our philosophy is to get things built and tested in days or weeks, not months. Because of this, a portfolio is generally required to apply: show us the things you’ve actually built!\n\nThe core responsibility of the job is the design, assembly, testing, and debugging of new optical systems and the associated mechanical components. You’ll be responsible for building new systems as well as integrating off-the-shelf products, such as motion stages and metrology equipment.\n\nResponsibilities\n\nDesign, prototype, and develop precision optical and optomechanical components and systems\n\nBuild, align, and test optical systems on the bench\n\nBuild new systems and integrate off-the-shelf products, such as motion stages and metrology equipment\n\nPerform detailed analysis and simulation to evaluate system designs and meet constraints, including optical performance modeling\n\nWork with suppliers to source components and materials, including custom optics fabrication\n\nDesign lens mounting components and methods\n\nRequired Experience\n\nBachelor's degree or higher in Optical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Physics, or Mechanical Engineering with demonstrated optical design work\n\n3+ years of industry experience designing and implementing optical systems\n\nWorking fluency in optical design and analysis: first-order layout, aberration theory, tolerance analysis and Monte Carlo yield prediction, and stray light analysis\n\nFamiliarity with Zemax or similar optical simulation tools, including both sequential and non-sequential ray tracing\n\nHands-on optical alignment and test experience. For example interferometry wavefront error measurement, and troubleshooting\n\nMechanical 3D CAD experience\n\nNice-to-have\n\nWorking knowledge of precision machine design fundamentals: exact-constraint design, kinematic couplings, flexures, error budgeting, structural loops, and tolerance analysis\n\nStructural, Thermal, Optical Performance: modeling how mechanical deflection and thermal drift degrade optical performance\n\nExperience with UV or DUV (deep ultraviolet) wavelengths, including material, coating, and contamination constraints\n\nExperience at an early-stage startup\n\nFamiliarity with firmware, controls, or electrical engineering\n\nWorking at fab2\n\nWe’re an early-stage hardware startup with solid funding, world-class advisors, and labs/offices in Austin, TX, Lockhart, TX, and San Francisco, CA.\n\nCompensation: fab2 is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The annual salary range for this role is $130,000 – $200,000. Compensation is determined based on your qualifications and experience. Our total compensation package also includes generous equity in fab2.\n\nBenefits: fab2 offers the following benefits, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:\n\nMedical, Dental, and Vision insurance\n\nGenerous Paid Time Off inclusive of Holidays and Sick Time\n\nVisa Sponsorship\n\nLife and Disability Insurance\n\nPaid Parental Leave\n\n401(k) retirement plan\n\nWeekly Learning & Development opportunities\n\nCommuter Benefits including Parking and Late Night Uber rides from the office\n\nLunches daily, Dinners 3x per week, Stocked Office Kitchen with Snacks and Spindrifts\n\nWe are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or other legally protected statuses.\n\nExport Control Analysis: This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant’s capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. export controls.\n\nfab2, formerly known as Atomic Semi\n\nCompensation Range: $130K - $200K","datePosted":"2026-09-15T08:32:20.814Z","dateModified":"2026-09-15T08:32:20.814Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Fab2","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Austin","addressRegion":"TX","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"7a33813a14dc6eab34e8a1ab"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/7a33813a14dc6eab34e8a1ab"}}