Instrument Controls 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 Instrument Controls 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
- Design and implement control systems for precision optical test and alignment stations, including motion control (linear/rotary stages, tip/tilt platforms), laser sources, cameras, displays, and sensors
- Develop instrument control software using Python, Rust, or C/C++ to automate data acquisition, system calibration, and test execution
- Create and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, cable plans, and associated documentation
- Integrate commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) instruments (interferometers, cameras, motion controllers) into cohesive automated test systems
- Support system-level testing, troubleshoot hardware/software issues, and assist in customer acceptance testing and system delivery
- Collaborate with optical engineers and mechanical designers during design reviews, contributing controls-related design for manufacturability and assembly (DFMA) input
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess these skills and qualifications:
Required
- BS or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Physics, or a related field
- Hands-on experience with motion control systems — servo and stepper motor stages, controllers (e.g., Newport, Thorlabs, PI, Aerotech, or similar)
- Proficiency in instrument control programming: Python (with NI-VISA / PyVISA), Rust or C/C++
- Experience with data acquisition hardware (NI DAQ, oscilloscopes, lock-in amplifiers, or equivalent)
- Ability to read and create electrical schematics and wiring documentation
- U.S. Person status required
Preferred
- Experience with optical or photonic systems (interferometers, wavefront sensors, laser systems, cameras)
- Familiarity with precision positioning hardware and nanometer-level metrology
- Background in aerospace, defense, or research instrumentation environments
- Experience with real-time systems (NI cRIO, FPGA-based control)
- Working knowledge of CAD software (SolidWorks) for mechanical integration context
- Existing relationships with local Tucson-area suppliers or machine shops is a genuine bonus
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 Instrument Controls 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