Optical Systems Test Engineer

As an Optical Systems Test Engineer at Pleno, you will have a leading role in maturing key optomechanical systems and coordinate and help execute on the verification and validation testing of the optical module in our flagship multi-omic instrument platform for launch.

You will own the planning, execution, coordination, data analysis, and reporting of optomechanical modules such as autofocus and autotilt as well play a key role in V&V testing of these modules as the system level to demonstrate robust instrument performance in a variety of operating conditions to deliver a market-leading product.

A background in the principles of multiple optical systems (fluorescent / white light, autofocus) and precision motion (e.

g. Z-stages) is a critical success factor for this role.

In this role, you will be responsible for :

• Lead one or more optomechanical sub-modules such as autofocus and autotilt and coordinate activities with instrument software, algorithm, and within the optical team.
• Generate deep component and system-level knowledge of our instrument platform through extensive evaluation and testing of motion and optical sub-systems.
• Develop software workflows and requirements, experimental designs, work instructions, qualification plans, and image analysis routines.
• Execute tests to evaluate module and instrument performance, explore critical parameters and assess their sensitivity, identify failure modes, interpret results to iteratively improve performance and robustness.
• Conduct and / or collaborate with external vendors on module and / or instrument testing at stressed conditions including temperature, humidity, elevation, and vibration.
• Create and maintain records for all testing activities such as generating parameter databases and performance and failure trackers.
• Make results-based recommendations for design or algorithm improvements, increased instrument reliability and improved user experience.
• Present findings from verification testing and qualification activities via data reviews, engineering verification reports, test method qualification reports, and gauge repeatability and reproducibility studies.

To be successful in this role you have :

• A background in the principles of multiple optical systems (fluorescent / white light, autofocus) and precision motion (e.g. Z-stages).
• Demonstrated experience developing, troubleshooting, and qualifying test fixtures for optical and precision motion systems using tools such as accelerometers, power meters, interferometers, autocollimators, test targets, thermocouples, dataloggers, LabView, and other.
• Experience in engineering verification testing and test design (requirements and specification management, test protocols & workflows, manufacturing tests & factory calibrations, test reports, etc.).
• Demonstrated technical skills in scientific software development in object-oriented programming (i.e. Python), experimental design (DOE), data parsing, statistical analysis (t-tests, ANOVA, CpK, control charts, GR&R), and hardware / software / firmware troubleshooting.
• Experience with image processing (ImageJ, MATLAB, OpenCV) to measure image properties (distortion, translation / transformation, magnification, background, noise, focus, etc.

and feature properties (FWHM, SNR).

• New product introduction experience such as transferring test fixtures to vendor site, calibration training, and developing standard operating documentation.
• Project management skills to successfully manage multiple projects in parallel.
• Ability to climb steep learning curves to provide test support for many disciplines.

Required Education & Experience :

• A Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of experience, a Master’s degree with 5 years of experience, or a PhD with 2 years of experience.

The compensation range presented spans Staff to Senior Staff . Compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, level of the position, skills, knowledge and experience, internal equity, and alignment with comparable market data.

The compensation range for this role is approximately $132,000 175,000.

Note : This position will require onsite presence at our office / lab in San Diego, CA - to apply you should be resident in the greater San Diego county area.

About Pleno

Pleno is a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technologists focused on collaboration and asking questions. We strive to find the best, and most meaningful answers for biochemistry and engineering problems in our mission to build a revolutionary instrument platform.

We are proud to take on the seemingly impossible and making it possible.

We are developing multi-omic instrument platforms that will revolutionize biological target detection for a wide array of meaningful applications.

Come join us to be a part of the biomedical revolution.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, or on the basis of disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form.