Manufacturing/NPI Engineer - Optics

Exowatt is revolutionizing the energy landscape for the AI era with our groundbreaking P3 system that captures solar energy, stores it as heat, and generates electricity on demand.

Founded in 2023 and backed by leading investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Sam Altman, and Felicis, we're committed to providing clean, modular, and scalable power that meets the rapidly growing demands of AI infrastructure.

Our mission is to make sustainable renewable energy always available and almost free, enabling technological advancement while protecting our planet.

We are seeking a Manufacturing/NPI Engineer focused on optics to take our precision optical components such as lenses, mirrors, coatings, and concentrator assemblies from engineering prototype to high-volume production.

Optics sit at the heart of the P3 system: every watt we deliver starts with how precisely we capture and concentrate sunlight.

You will own the manufacturing readiness of these components, working hands-on with design engineers, suppliers, and production teams to hit the quality, cost, and ramp targets that make our product possible at scale.

This position is based in Austin, TX, and requires relocation to Austin, TX if you are hired.

We provide relocation assistance.

Domestic and international travel to supplier and manufacturing sites is required when necessary.

• Own new product introduction (NPI) for optical components and assemblies — from design-for-manufacturing feedback during development through pilot builds, qualification, and volume ramp
• Develop, document, and validate manufacturing and assembly processes for precision optics, including alignment, bonding, coating, cleaning, and handling procedures
• Define and implement optical metrology and quality controls — surface figure, transmittance/reflectance, alignment tolerances, coating durability — and the acceptance criteria suppliers are held to
• Qualify and develop optics manufacturing and assembly suppliers domestically and internationally: run process audits, first article inspections, PPAP/qualification builds, and drive corrective actions to closure
• Partner with design engineering to translate optical performance requirements into manufacturable specifications, realistic tolerances, and scalable processes
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action for optical yield, quality, and reliability issues across pilot and production builds
• Drive cost-reduction and yield-improvement initiatives as production scales, balancing optical performance against manufacturability and cost