We're Cruise, a self-driving service designed for the cities we love.

We’re building the world’s most advanced self-driving vehicles to safely connect people to the places, things, and experiences they care about. We believe self-driving vehicles will help save lives, reshape cities, give back time in transit, and restore freedom of movement for many.

In our cars, you’re free to be yourself. It’s the same here at Cruise. We’re creating a culture that values the experiences and contributions of all of the unique individuals who collectively make up Cruise, so that every employee can do their best work. 

Cruise is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, both in our workplace and in our products. If you are looking to play a part in making a positive impact in the world by advancing the revolutionary work of self-driving cars, come join us. Even if you might not meet every requirement, we strongly encourage you to apply. You might just be the right candidate for us.

We are looking for a talented Staff Optical Engineer to join our optical sensor hardware team. You will lead the design, development and integration of high performance LiDAR product optics that will be the gateway into our world-class optical sensing systems for the next generation of self-driving vehicles. You will work with and manage diverse partners. You will be involved in the complete lifecycle of your components and in charge of final outcomes. 

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

• Research and development of advanced optical sensing hardware, including ideation and early concept development, modeling, design, proof of concept assembly, testing, and analysis

• Work cross-functionally with software, hardware, systems and test teams

• Understand the system level big picture, diagnose complex problems, pursue solutions, and obtain multi-disciplinary partner buyoff with minimal support and guidance

• Lead projects and own technical writing of proposals, scoping and architecture, specifications, implementation plans, and presentations to leadership 

• Develop accurate optical models, both lens and system level using simulation software (such as Zemax, FRED, MATLAB/Python), and utilize these models to inform decisions and system level tradeoffs

• Leverage experts both within and outside Cruise to ensure your designs are upward compatible and meet autonomous vehicle requirements and budgets

• Play a key role in implementation of your designs and preserve its integrity during build,  post assembly and at various stages of integration and field testing 

• Own test specifications and compliance and continuously improve design and manufacturability

• Work with suppliers on prototype design and manufacturing

• Be agile and hands-on to tackle early proof-of-concept projects that require working under ambiguity with lean resources 

WHAT YOU MUST HAVE:

• PhD or Masters in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or related field

• 5+ years of experience in LiDAR product development, including designing, building, and validating optics at scale

• Strong understanding of various links in the imaging (or non-imaging) chain for optical systems and the physics behind them 

• Fluent in Optical design using Zemax or CODEV

• Stray light simulation using software such as FRED or ASAP

• Familiarity with Matlab/Python and similar tools for building data processing and simulation

• Experience with testing and troubleshooting for validating optics in both prototype and production scenarios

• Strong technical and non-technical communication skills

BONUS POINTS!

• Direct experience managing automotive optics and module integration suppliers

• Completed full product life cycles building LiDARs

• Comfortable with using CAD packages

• Experience designing for long lifetime/high reliability systems

The salary range for this position is $170,000 - 205,750. Compensation will vary depending on location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. You may also be offered a bonus, restricted stock units, and benefits. These ranges are subject to change.

Why Cruise?

• Our benefits are here to support the whole you:

• Competitive salary and benefits 
• 401(k) Cruise matching program 
• Medical / dental / vision, AD+D and Life
• One Medical membership
• Subsidized mental health benefits
• Flexible vacation and company paid holidays