Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer USA | PowerPhotonic

Dec. 15, 2025

Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@powerphotonic.com 

Current Opportunities

 

Department: PowerPhotonic Inc

Location: Sahuarita, Arizona, USA (PowerPhotonic Inc.)

Type of position: Full Time

Reports to: Head of Engineering

JOB SUMMARY

The Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer will be responsible for the concept development, detailed design, prototyping, and production readiness of mechanical and opto-mechanical assemblies for defense and commercial applications. The engineer will collaborate with the optical engineering team, customers, sales, production, supply chain, and the UK HQ to deliver robust design solutions, controlled documentation, and effective New Product Introduction. The role involves working within ITAR-controlled environments, ensuring all work complies with US export control regulations.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Mechanical & Opto-Mechanical Design

  • Develop concept, detailed, and production-ready designs for mechanical and opto-mechanical assemblies compliant with defence standards.
  • Interpret and work with customer requirements at early “bid stage” design phases.
  • Produce 3D models and 2D drawings in CAD package (SolidWorks or Autodesk Inventor) ensuring compliance with internal standards and ITAR-controlled document handling.
  • Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs)

Prototyping & Production Readiness

  • Lead activities for developing new assembly products,
  • Support prototyping builds of optomechanical assemblies, ensuring design intent is met and mechanical improvements are implemented.
  • Work alongside optical engineers and technicians in a laboratory environment to develop assembly processes

Define mechanical manufacturing processes and interface with mechanical vendors to ensure readiness for production.

Project & Programme Management

  • Manage mechanical and opto-mechanical project tasks, schedules, and deliverables to tight timescales.
  • Within the scope of the role, coordinate engineering activities across the US and UK while maintaining proper export control data boundaries.

Engineering Governance & Document Control

  • Maintain robust drawing control, revision management, and change control aligned with ITAR requirements.
  • .
  • Ensure designs meet engineering KPIs for quality, cost, and schedule.
  • Conduct proper handover to production teams post readiness-for-manufacture, ensuring controlled transfer of sensitive data.

Cross-Site, Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Collaborate with PowerPhotonic HQ (UK) ensuring proper segregation of ITAR-controlled data and use of approved communication channels.
  • Coordinate with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
  • Key point of contact for Sales Team for mechanical and opto-mechanical designs and implementation. Support includes:
  • Performing as the mechanical technical interface to customers and key partners in collaborative projects
  • Collaborating with technical and sales team to generate technical proposals to support bid process
  • Proposing technical solutions (mechanical design, costings)
  • Assessing feasibility and risks
  • Estimating cost and timeline

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

Essential requirements

Must already hold the legal right to work in the US

Technical

  • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field.
  • Strong experience (3+ years) in mechanical design, experience in opto-mechanical design and/or high-precision applications strongly preferred.
  • Proficiency in Autodesk inventor (or SolidWorks) and engineering documentation practices.
  • Experience with product development, prototyping in a laboratory environment, design for manufacture and assembly, and transferring designs and approaches to a production team.
  • Familiarity with ITAR, export control legislation, and secure document handling preferred.
  • Experience with ERP systems and engineering change management preferred.

Project & Interpersonal

  • Ability to manage projects and deliver to tight deadlines.
  • Strong communication skills for cross-functional and customer-facing interactions.
  • Ability to work autonomously and within international teams while respecting ITAR restrictions.
  • Cost-conscious, with experience driving standardisation and design efficiency.
  • Experience supporting sales and bid processes, including ITAR-conscious technical submissions.

PERSONAL SKILLS, ABILITIES AND VALUES

PowerPhotonic is at a key stage of its development and has a clearly defined set of values. The company is therefore looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following:

  • Highly organised and meticulous, with strong adherence to process and compliance.
  • Capable of working under pressure with strict deadlines.
  • Creative with a strong problem-solving capability
  • Self-driven, team-oriented, and able to work within a regulated, high-integrity environment
  • Flexibility to develop products addressing a range of different markets.
  • Customer focused and skilled at interpreting and addressing customer requirements across different applications.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Office and manufacturing environment. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

JOB PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES

PowerPhotonic is committed to the career and personal development of its employees. While no specific guarantees can be given as to future career development, , the company looks to employ individuals who have the interest, skills and potential to progress within the company. Potential routes for future career development from this role could include:

  • Providing appropriate training and opportunities to take up new responsibilities within the company.
  • Gaining more opportunities for external collaboration with customers and partners.
  • Gaining more experience in technical leadership and coaching.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

Infrequent international travel is required for training and collaboration with UK colleagues.

Occasional domestic travel may be required to cover attendance at training courses, industrial events and customer visits.

 

Please send your CV and cover letter to hr@powerphotonic.com

No agencies please.