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Optical Engineer

Prolific Machines· Technical Operations – Hardware
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Emeryville, CA$115k - $175kFull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Hands-on optical engineering role focused on optical calibration, characterization of illumination hardware, and integration with bioreactor systems to enable faster and cheaper therapeutics manufacturing.

Responsibilities

  • Own and continuously improve the calibration systems and processes used to characterize and validate Prolific’s illumination hardware.
  • Support the Lead Optical Engineer's optical simulation and modeling efforts, contributing measurements, analysis, and prototypes that inform system design and performance, with opportunity to grow into running simulations and owning modeling workstreams over time.
  • Develop and execute experiments to characterize light delivery within complex bioreactor geometries and operating conditions, analyzing the resulting measurements to identify trends, validate optical models, and improve understanding of system performance.
  • Collaborate closely across mechanical, electrical, firmware, data, biology, and bioprocess engineering to connect optical performance with cell culture behavior and process outcomes.
  • Contribute to projects that deepen Prolific’s understanding of the relationship between light, bioreactor environments, and biological response, helping translate those insights into improved illumination systems and new applications.

Qualifications

  • PhD, MS with 2+ years, or BS with 4+ years of industry experience, in Optical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Photonics, Physics, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Strong foundation in optics, including geometric optics, radiometry, and optical measurement techniques.
  • Hands-on experience setting up, aligning, characterizing, and troubleshooting optical systems in a laboratory environment.
  • Experience developing and executing calibration procedures for illumination systems, optical components, and sensors.
  • Experience using optical measurement equipment such as spectrometers, photodiodes, power meters, cameras, or related instrumentation.
  • Experience working with light sources and optical delivery components, including LEDs, lasers, and fiber optics.
  • Proficiency with Python for instrument control, automation, data analysis, modeling, and visualization.
  • Demonstrated ability to design and execute experiments, analyze data, and communicate conclusions clearly.
  • Experience debugging complex systems involving optical, mechanical, electrical, and software components.
  • Ability to develop clear, reproducible documentation for calibration methods, experimental procedures, results, and technical findings.
  • Ability to translate physical models and experimental results into practical engineering recommendations.

Skills

Required:Optical engineering and calibrationOptical measurement and instrumentationPython

Benefits

  • Generous equity package in an early stage company
  • retirement plan with company contribution
  • flexible PTO with healthy time off minimums
  • company-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • life and disability insurance
  • career coaching
  • mental health support
  • free team lunches everyday
  • great snacks
  • companywide social events
Last updated Oct 21, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About Prolific Machines

Illuminating biomanufacturing. Enabling tomorrow’s biotherapeutics.

Difficult protein production made simple. A next-generation expression system for next-generation therapeutics.

protein productionbiotherapeuticscell line developmentbiomanufacturingoptogeneticsAI-driven bioprocess optimization
Company profileWebsite

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