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Senior Optical Systems Engineer at Stealth Startup · Trevo
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Job Description
About the role
We are a stealth-mode deep-tech startup building a breakthrough infrared (IR) sensing platform and developing next-generation imaging and sensing systems based on advanced nonlinear optics.
Our technology integrates advanced nonlinear optics, electro-optical engineering, and novel system architectures to unlock a new class of high-performance IR detection capabilities. Built on more than 15 years of breakthrough academic research from the Weizmann Institute and Tel Aviv University, and supported by experienced leadership and a technical team, we are transitioning from advanced prototypes to productization and commercialization.
We are looking for a hands-on Optical Systems Engineer to take a central role in the design, build, integration, stabilization, and testing of Spiral Photonics' next-generation electro-optical system. The role combines deep physical understanding with practical engineering execution, from system architecture and simulation through hands-on integration and validation.
The Optical Systems Engineer will tackle complex multidisciplinary engineering challenges across optics, photonics, mechanics, thermal behavior, electronics, and overall system performance. The role requires creative problem-solving, using first-principles physical and engineering thinking, along with simulations and experiments, to identify, evaluate, and implement robust solutions. This is a hands-on role and an opportunity to join the founding R&D team, with significant ownership of the performance and maturity of the complete electro-optical system.
What you'll do
Design, build, integrate, stabilize, and test our next-generation electro-optical system from subsystem level through full-system validation
Translate system-level performance requirements into optical, mechanical, thermal, electronic, and control requirements and engineering trade-offs
Develop creative solutions to complex engineering problems using first-principles physics, simulations, analytical models, and hands-on experimentation
Design, simulate, and optimize optical systems using simulation tools, validated through rigorous optical bench testing
Plan and execute optical bench experiments, characterization campaigns, and system performance testing to validate designs and models
Identify sources of instability, sensitivity, drift, alignment error, and performance degradation, and develop robust engineering solutions
Design and build custom test, calibration, and inspection setups required for system development and validation
Drive root-cause analysis of system-level failures and work with internal and external engineering partners to mature the system toward a reliable, manufacturable product
Requirements
M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related field
6-8+ years of hands-on experience in optical, electro-optical, photonics, or multidisciplinary system engineering
Proven track record designing and validating optical systems using simulation tools
Strong programming/scripting skills (MATLAB, Python, or C) for modeling, data analysis, calibration, and test automation
Demonstrated experience taking complex hardware systems from R&D prototype through integration, validation, and productization
Extensive experience with optical bench setups, laboratory instrumentation, alignment, characterization, and system-level testing
Nice to have
Background in photonics, nonlinear optics, quantum optics, lasers, or related experimental physics research
Experience with multidisciplinary electro-optical systems involving optics, mechanics, electronics, thermal management, and control
Experience in a deep-tech or hardware startup environment, from early R&D through product maturation and manufacturing transfer
Fluency in Hebrew and English
Prior military or elite technical unit R&D experience is a plus