Senior Optical Engineer at Red Six Aerospace

Santa Monica, California, United States

Apply Now

$150,000 – $170,000Compensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Aerospace, Augmented RealityIndustries

Requirements

MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field (or BS with strong, relevant experience)
5–10+ years designing complex optical systems (AR/near-eye/HUD or adjacent domains)
Proficiency with Code V or Zemax and optical metrology; strong hands-on bench skills
Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for analysis and test automation
Demonstrated delivery of optical hardware from concept → manufacturing → integration → customer use
Preferred Qualifications
Experience applying HOEs/diffractive optics for illumination, coupling, wavefront/spectral control, and/or combiner roles
Background in 3D display design/trade-offs: stereo/multi-view, focus-cue management, visual-comfort optimization
Display/backlight integration experience and collaboration in CAD-driven opto-mechanical workflows (e.g., SolidWorks)
Manufacturing processes, optical QA, supplier qualification, and build acceptance
Track record of automated measurement/analysis pipelines and rapid prototyping in R&D environments
Mentorship of junior engineers and effective cross-functional collaboration (SW/EE/ME/Systems)

Responsibilities

Contribute to system architecture and lead the detailed design of assigned optics; optimize FOV, eyebox, image quality, veiling glare/stray light, and robustness for outdoor use
Design end-to-end optical stack (beyond the combiner): illumination & light delivery (source coupling, beam shaping, homogenization, efficiency); image relay & pupil management (relay optics, eyebox/pupil expansion, telecentricity, distortion control); spectral & surfaces (coatings/filters, polarization management, ghost/flare suppression, baffling/blackening); integration optics (windows, alignment features, environmental/thermal considerations, tolerance stacks)
Evaluate and apply holographic optical elements (HOEs) and other diffractives for illumination shaping, in/out-coupling, wavefront/spectral control, and—where appropriate—combiner functions, with a practical eye toward manufacturability
Bring a working understanding of 3D display technologies (stereoscopic, multi-view, varifocal/vergence-accommodation approaches, light-field-adjacent concepts) and human-factors trade-offs (depth cues, comfort, latency, clarity)
Design and operate test setups; define metrics; automate analysis (Python/C++); ensure model-to-measurement correlation and repeatability across the full path
Own tolerances and acceptance criteria for parts/assemblies; partner with manufacturing and opto-mechanical teams to achieve yield and reliability targets
Support alignment, verification, and acceptance for customer delivery; capture field feedback and drive targeted design/process updates
Help draft technical requirements, review vendor proposals, qualify components, and manage build acceptance for work packages
Produce clear drawings, test reports, and decision reviews that de-risk R&D → Production → Customer handoff

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Optical DesignAR OpticsWide-FOV DesignHolographic Optical ElementsDiffractive OpticsMetrologyStray Light AnalysisCoatingsPolarization ManagementImage Relay OpticsPupil Expansion3D DisplaysStereoscopic DisplaysLight-Field DisplaysTolerance AnalysisManufacturing Transfer

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the salary range for the Senior Optical Engineer position?

The salary range is $150K - $170K.

Is this a remote position or does it require on-site work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What are the basic qualifications for this role?

Candidates need an MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field (or BS with strong relevant experience), plus 5–10+ years of design experience.

What kind of work environment or company culture can I expect at Red 6 Aerospace?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What experience makes a strong candidate for this Senior Optical Engineer role?

Strong candidates will have 5–10+ years in optical design for AR systems, expertise in system architecture, holographic/diffractive optics, characterization with Python/C++, and design for manufacturing.

Red Six Aerospace

Augmented reality for military training solutions

About Red Six Aerospace

Red Six Aerospace specializes in advanced training solutions using augmented reality technology designed for outdoor and dynamic environments. Their products enhance military training by providing realistic and immersive experiences that improve situational awareness and decision-making skills. Unlike many competitors, Red Six focuses specifically on the defense sector, offering tailored tools that meet the unique needs of military clients. The company's goal is to redefine training methods in the military by integrating digital content with real-world scenarios, ensuring that personnel are better prepared for various operational challenges.

Orlando, FloridaHeadquarters

2018Year Founded

$107.8MTotal Funding

SERIES_BCompany Stage

VR & AR, DefenseIndustries

51-200Employees

Risks

Competition from established defense contractors like Boeing threatens market share.

Dependency on large defense contracts poses financial risks if not renewed.

Rapid AR technological advancements could lead to obsolescence without innovation.

Differentiation

Red 6 offers AR technology for outdoor and dynamic military training environments.

Their ATARS system allows real-time interaction with virtual entities during flight.

Red 6's technology reduces the need for live aircraft and instructors in training.

Upsides

Successful RAF demonstration highlights cost-saving benefits of Red 6's AR technology.

Strategic partnerships with Boeing and BAE Systems enhance market acceptance.

$70M Series B funding boosts Red 6's development and scaling capabilities.

Land your dream remote job 3x faster with AI

Try Jobo Free