Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer

at  Alcon

At Alcon, we are driven by the meaningful work we do to help people see brilliantly. We innovate boldly, champion progress, and act with speed as the global leader in eye care. Here, you’ll be recognized for your commitment and contributions and see your career like never before. Together, we go above and beyond to make an impact in the lives of our patients and customers.
We foster an inclusive culture and are looking for diverse, talented people to join Alcon and we are hiring for a Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer who will be located in Lake Forest, CA in our research and development location.

Key Responsibilities:

• Apply in-depth knowledge of surgical instrumentation domain as subject matter expert across a range of engineering disciplines including Mechanical, Optomechanical, Lasers, Optical, Fiber Optics, Microscope and ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization devices.
• Conduct design, research, development, and process upscaling for new medical device products.
• Investigate and evaluate existing technology and designs new methodology, materials, machines, or processes as needed for Ophthalmic medical device development.
• Design, assembly, alignment, measurement, testing, analysis, and troubleshooting of illumination and visualization devices.
• Perform Opto-mechanical design including lens housing design, lens bonding and mounting techniques, and opto-mechanical analysis including thermal, environmental, shock & vib, system integration and stability tolerance study.
• Understand operation principles for optomechanical and electromechanical actuators and sensors and integrate these within complex sub-systems.
• Generate detailed fabrication drawings with including GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Support medical device development activities such as prototyping and testing, pilot builds, V&V, risk assessment, and ramp-up to production validation.
• Develop assembly and alignments fixtures for prototype fabrication and create associated processes.
• Support concurrent engineering activities, design control and transition to manufacturing.
• Technical lead for new product development ensuring that design activities are conducted following Alcon SOPs.
• Derive product design requirements based on top-level commercial input.
• Identify technical, project schedule, and commercial viability risks.
• Run cross-functional design trade-off and technical reviews to drive design decisions.
• Work effectively with cross-functional development teams including Optics, EE, SW, QA, and Mfg functions.
• Team player/collaboration aptitude with strong sense of accountability and perseverance to see projects through to completion.
• Contribute to ideation, patent portfolio and strategy development.

Preferred Experiences and Skill Sets

• Proficiency in CREO (Pro-E), SolidWorks, or Equivalent CAD skills in PLM or Windchill environment.
• Knowledge of optical design tool such as ZEMAX, Code V, Light Tools.
• Proficiency in opto-mechanical design, tolerance analysis, design for athermalization, bonding and assembly processes.
• Experience with FEA tool such as ANSYS, and familiar with MATLAB, LabView.
• Experience with design and development of Microscope and ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization devices.
• Experience with Class 3B and Class 4 lasers and related fiber optics for delivery and single-use devices.
• Ophthalmic domain knowledge (Cataract, Vit-Ret, Refractive Surgery, or Diagnostics).
• Solid understanding of Design Controls according to 21 CFR 820 or ISO 13485.
• Proficient in Failure Mode Effects Analysis and Risk Management application to medical devices.
• Industry standard tools and methods for optical, mechanical and optomechanical engineering is essential.
• Domain knowledge in Lasers, Photonics, Optics, Optomechanics, and Fiber Optics.
• Optical and Optomechanical metrology and testing practices.
• Understanding of architecture design, requirements and risk management, medical device V&V, reprocessing, and single-use devices.
• Development of laser systems, fiber optic energy delivery devices, fiber optic probes, or fiber optic illuminators.
• Broad knowledge of precision manufacturing techniques and familiarity with assembly of micro-optical and miniature optomechanical components.
• Biomedical product or medical device development experience.
• Vendor and supplier management for optical components, complex sub-systems, or OEM.
• Experience with Motion Control and manufacturing automation is a plus.

Key Requirements/Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand, and communicate in English
• 5 Years of Relevant Experience
• Work hours: M-F, standard
• Travel Requirements: 0-5%
• Relocation assistance: yes
• Sponsorship available: yes

• Apply in-depth knowledge of surgical instrumentation domain as subject matter expert across a range of engineering disciplines including Mechanical, Optomechanical, Lasers, Optical, Fiber Optics, Microscope and ophthalmic related Diagnostic & Visualization devices.
• Conduct design, research, development, and process upscaling for new medical device products.
• Investigate and evaluate existing technology and designs new methodology, materials, machines, or processes as needed for Ophthalmic medical device development.
• Design, assembly, alignment, measurement, testing, analysis, and troubleshooting of illumination and visualization devices.
• Perform Opto-mechanical design including lens housing design, lens bonding and mounting techniques, and opto-mechanical analysis including thermal, environmental, shock & vib, system integration and stability tolerance study.
• Understand operation principles for optomechanical and electromechanical actuators and sensors and integrate these within complex sub-systems.
• Generate detailed fabrication drawings with including GD&T and tolerance analysis.
• Support medical device development activities such as prototyping and testing, pilot builds, V&V, risk assessment, and ramp-up to production validation.
• Develop assembly and alignments fixtures for prototype fabrication and create associated processes.
• Support concurrent engineering activities, design control and transition to manufacturing.
• Technical lead for new product development ensuring that design activities are conducted following Alcon SOPs.
• Derive product design requirements based on top-level commercial input.
• Identify technical, project schedule, and commercial viability risks.
• Run cross-functional design trade-off and technical reviews to drive design decisions.
• Work effectively with cross-functional development teams including Optics, EE, SW, QA, and Mfg functions.
• Team player/collaboration aptitude with strong sense of accountability and perseverance to see projects through to completion.
• Contribute to ideation, patent portfolio and strategy development