Job Title: Opto-Mechanical Engineer (Optics & Mechanical Manufacturing)

Location: Torrance, CA (Onsite / Hands-on Lab Environment)

Base Salary Range: $95,000 – $145,000 / year (commensurate with experience)

Travel: Up to 15–20% international travel (China)

Position Overview

Celestron is seeking an Opto-Mechanical Engineer with 2 to 5 years of hands-on experience to join our Engineering team in Torrance, CA. Working closely with our Senior Optical Engineer, you will drive optical design, precision mechanical/optical manufacturing processes, optical test fixture construction, and quality testing standards for world-class astronomical instruments—specifically Schmidt corrector plates and telescope systems.

This on-site, highly practical role splits time between engineering analysis/office work (50%) and hands-on work in our cleanroom, optical manufacturing, and testing areas (50%). Based in Torrance, CA, you will serve as a technical bridge between our domestic engineering group and overseas manufacturing facilities to ensure top-tier opto-mechanical design quality and manufacturing yield

Key Responsibilities

• Opto-Mechanical & Block Engineering: Master and support the optical manufacturing and mechanical process for Schmidt corrector plates and master blocks. Collaborate with mechanical engineers and machinists to construct, fit, and document precision optical test fixtures.
• Optical Testing & QA: Perform hands-on optical and mechanical testing to qualify components and assemblies. Establish concise test procedures and document hand-offs for Quality Assurance teams in Torrance and overseas.
• Overseas Factory Support: Collaborate with overseas manufacturing partners to troubleshoot production line issues, monitor optical and mechanical tooling, and provide technical guidance.
• Design & Analysis: Utilize Zemax software to analyze optical systems, ray-tracing charts, and coating performances (single- and multi-layer optical coatings).
• Lab & Prototype Management: Organize and log engineering prototypes, sample inventories, and digital servers. Maintain an organized, safe optical engineering lab environment.
• Vendor & Supply Chain Coordination: Interface with domestic vendors to source optical and mechanical components or specialized services; work alongside Purchasing to process POs.

Qualifications & Skills

Required

• Experience: 2 to 5 years of hands-on engineering experience in optics, mechanical fabrication, opto-mechanical assembly, or optical bench testing.
• Software: Demonstrated proficiency with Zemax Optical Design Software (optical modeling, system analysis, ray-tracing, and chart interpretation) is required.
• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Technical Aptitude: Strong foundational knowledge of classical and applied mechanics/physics; high mechanical aptitude for hands-on fixture assembly, opto-mechanical tooling, and optical bench testing.
• Tools: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Communication: Clear written and verbal English communication skills; comfortable presenting technical ideas and documenting engineering procedures.
• Travel Flexibility: Ability to travel internationally to manufacturing plants in China (typically 2–3 trips per year for 2–3 weeks at a time).

Preferred / Desired

• Mandarin language fluency (highly desirable for factory cross-communication).
• Background or personal passion for astronomical telescopes and opto-mechanical assemblies.

Core Competencies

• Quality & Detail Focus: Uncompromising standards for optical/mechanical accuracy, documentation consistency, and lab organization.
• Adaptable Problem Solver: Self-starter attitude with a sense of urgency and strong judgment when making independent shop-floor decisions.
• Collaborative Mindset: Exceptional teamwork skills when working across cross-functional departments (Machinists, Mechanical Engineers, QA, Purchasing, Managem