Optical Test Engineer

Location

• Bellevue, WA

Compensation*

• $150,000-$185,000 + benefits

Description

Responsibilities

• Design and execute characterization experiments to evaluate optical sensor and display performance, including range, accuracy, resolution, brightness, noise floor, linearity, and field of view
• Develop automated test systems and analysis pipelines for efficient system and component evaluation and calibration
• Develop, implement, and validate calibration algorithms and procedures for intrinsic and extrinsic sensor parameters (e.g., beam pointing, intensity, temperature compensation)
• Build automated test setups and data acquisition pipelines using Python
• Analyze large datasets from sensor characterization campaigns; identify failure modes, performance trends, and areas for improvement
• Maintain detailed lab documentation including test plans, experimental procedures, calibration records, and characterization reports
• Collaborate with optical, electrical, firmware, and systems engineering teams to close the loop between characterization findings and hardware/firmware iterations
• Support bring-up and evaluation of new sensor hardware revisions in a lab environment

Qualifications

• B.S., M.S., or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field
• 3-5 years of hands-on experience in sensor characterization, optical systems testing, or related hardware validation roles
• Proficiency in Python for test automation, data analysis, and visualization (NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib or equivalent)
• Experience with optical measurement equipment (e.g., integrating spheres, optical power meters, beam profilers, oscilloscopes)
• Ability to design controlled experiments and draw statistically sound conclusions from data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to document work clearly and concisely
• Background working in a hardware startup or similarly fast-paced, resource-constrained environment preferred
• Experience supporting transfer of calibration processes to manufacturing/NPI environments preferred
• EOE
• Compensation may vary within the posted range based on relevant experience, skills, education, and other job-related factors. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for equity and other forms of compensation. Eligible employees also receive a competitive benefits package, including unlimited PTO. Rivet is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law. Certain roles may require U.S. Person status, security clearance eligibility, or other requirements imposed by law or government contract.