Optical System Integration Engineer

About Lyte

Lyte builds perception systems for Physical AI operating in complex environments. The company combines custom silicon, integrated sensors, and software into a unified platform for robotics, mobility, and next-generation automation. Lyte is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with a global presence. For more information, visit www.lyte.ai

If you’re excited about building impactful technology in a dynamic, hands-on environment, we’d love to hear from you!

About the role

• We are seeking a motivated and hands-on Optical System Integration Engineer to join our System Optics Team. The team is responsible for integrating and validating optical subsystems and ensuring product performance from an optical standpoint. This is a hands-on engineering role intended for a recent graduate, or early-career engineer with strong fundamentals in optics and an interest in building, testing, and debugging real optical systems.

What you'll do

• Build, align, and characterize optical laboratory setups and optical subsystems.
• Support testing and validation of optical components and subsystems, including lenses, windows, mirrors, lasers, detectors, and related opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Perform optical alignment tasks including free-space alignment, beam collimation, focusing, and optimization of optical paths.
• Execute optical characterization and system-level test procedures and analyze the resulting data.
• Develop Python scripts for instrument control, test automation, data processing, visualization, and analysis.
• Assist with development and validation new sensor prototyping and manufacturing processes.
• Support optical subsystem bring-up, integration, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Investigate unexpected system behavior using experimental data and fundamental engineering principles.
• Perform measurements and characterization of optical performance, including beam profile, M², wavefront error (WFE), and other relevant optical metrics.
• Work with cross-functional engineering teams, including electrical, firmware, DSP, software, and mechanical engineering.
• Document experimental setups, procedures, results, and conclusions clearly.
• Participate in failure analysis and root-cause investigations with experienced engineers.
• Propose improvements to optical setups, test methods, automation, and measurement techniques.

Required Qualifications

• A B.S. or M.S. in Optical/Photonics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or a related engineering field.
• Strong understanding of optical fundamentals, including geometric optics, lenses, imaging, Gaussian beams, diffraction, and basic physical optics.
• Demonstrated hands-on technical aptitude through laboratory coursework, research, internships, engineering projects, or previous employment.
• Comfortable working with physical hardware and performing iterative setup, measurement, alignment, and debugging.
• Experience with or strong interest in: Free-space optical alignment; Lenses and opto-mechanical components; Laser alignment and beam collimation; Photodetectors and optical power measurements; Optical and electrical laboratory instrumentation; Optical systems in sensing applications
• Working knowledge of Python, particularly for scientific computing, data analysis, or laboratory automation.
• Ability to analyze experimental data, identify trends or anomalies, and develop hypotheses based on measurement results.
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to learn unfamiliar systems and measurement techniques.
• Ability to communicate technical observations and results clearly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Python libraries such as NumPy, SciPy, pandas, and Matplotlib.
• Automated test equipment and instrument communication/control.
• Passive or active integrated photonics testing.
• Basic analog/digital electronics and ability to interpret circuit schematics or system block diagrams.
• Optical simulation or design tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or similar software.
• FPGA or SoC-based hardware platforms.

Benefits

(subject to location and local regulations)

• Competitive salary and equity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Flexible vacation and time-off policy
• Collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work environment
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies with a highly cross-functional team