Senior Applications Engineer
Tucson,
AZ,
United States
Company Profile
AOM is bringing decades of experience in optical metrology expertise to bear on some of the most demanding optics applications on earth – the fast-growing commercial space telescope industry, extreme precision optics for EUV lithography, and a host of other consumer, research, and industrial technologies that will shape humanity’s future through optics.
We are a fast-growing optical metrology business supporting amazing technology development all around the world. We operate with the pace and feel of a tech startup with the security of a mature technology at its core. It’s challenging, fun, and offers many opportunities to learn and grow for a motivated Sr. Applications Engineer.
Our products and services include:
- Computer Generated Holograms (CGHs) enabling interferometric testing of optical surfaces – aspheres, freeforms, cylinders, conic sections, and many other complex surface shapes and optical systems.
- Mechanics for precise positioning and alignment of CGHs and test optics.
- Development of complete optical test setups for the fast-growing commercial space telescope industry, consumer electronics customers, the semiconductor lithography industry, and many other applications.
Essential Functions
Application Development & Deployment
Lead the development, integration, and deployment of software applications for precision optical test systems, including interferometric metrology platforms used in commercial space telescope programs
Develop and maintain application UIs with scripting and automation workflows in Mx (Zygo) and 4Sight (4D Technologies) interferometer software environments
Build data acquisition, analysis, and reporting pipelines that connect interferometer outputs to customer-defined acceptance criteria and test documentation requirements
Own the software configuration management process for deployed test system applications, including version control, release documentation, and field update procedures
Support system-level integration and acceptance testing at AOM's facility and at customer sites
Voice of Customer & Applications Support
Serve as the primary technical interface between AOM and customer engineering teams for software and application-layer activities on projects in development and delivered test systems
Translate customer measurement requirements into executable test procedures and application configurations
Conduct on-site commissioning, training and customer support for deployed systems; develop clear user documentation and operator guides
Gather, synthesize, and advocate for customer feedback internally to drive continuous improvement in AOM's application development practices and product roadmap
Respond to field support requests and troubleshoot application issues in deployed systems, coordinating with AOM's optical and mechanical engineering teams as needed
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with engineering staff to understand measurement system design intent and ensure application software accurately captures and reports relevant wavefront and alignment data
- Participate in design reviews, test readiness reviews, and customer program reviews; present application development status and risks clearly to both technical and program management audiences
- Contribute to proposal efforts by estimating application development scope, schedule, and risk for new programs
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess these skills and qualifications:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical discipline
- 5+ years of experience developing measurement or instrument control software in an engineering or scientific environment
- Demonstrated hands-on proficiency with Mx and/or 4Sight interferometer software, including scripting, sequence development, and data export workflows
- Strong Python programming skills applied to data analysis, automation, or instrument interfacing; familiarity with relevant libraries (NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, or equivalent)
- Experience with interferometry, wavefront measurement, or precision metrology systems
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to work directly with external customers in a technical capacity
- Must be a U.S. Person as defined under ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or qualifying protected individual); this position involves access to export-controlled technology
Preferred
- Experience supporting test system deployment and commissioning in aerospace, defense, or commercial space environments
- Familiarity with CGH-based null test configurations or similar custom optical test setups
- Experience with additional interferometer platforms or metrology software (e.g., Apre, ESDI, or equivalent)
- Exposure to motion control or hardware-in-the-loop integration within measurement applications
- Prior experience in a customer-facing applications engineering, field applications, or systems engineering role
Why AOM?
We are a fast-growing optics metrology business supporting amazing technology development all around the world. We operate with the pace and feel of a tech startup with the security of a mature technology at its core. It’s challenging, fun, and offers many opportunities to learn and grow for a motivated Sr. Applications Engineer.
Compensation
Competitive salary
Generous benefits package
Perks
401k contribution
Profit sharing
Community
Company lunches, activities, and events
Opportunity
Learn and grow under the mentorship of optics community leaders