Optical Systems Engineer

Merge Labs • San Francisco, CA

17h

About The Position

Merge Labs is a frontier research lab with the mission of bridging biological and artificial intelligence to maximize human ability, agency and experience. We’re pursuing this goal by developing fundamentally new approaches to brain-computer interfaces that interact with the brain at high bandwidth, integrate with advanced AI, and are ultimately safe and accessible for anyone to use. About the team: Our Bio team designs, builds, and characterizes the biotechnologies that form the foundation of next-generation brain-computer interfaces. We combine molecular engineering, synthetic biology, neuroscience and advanced physical methods such as ultrasound to establish less invasive, high-bandwidth connections with neural circuits. The Bio team develops our core molecular technologies, validates their performance in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrates their advanced capabilities in animal models. We build custom experimental setups and pipelines and collaborate closely with engineers and data scientists. We work across disciplines to come up with creative ideas and solve some of the most challenging problems in biotechnology. As part of this effort, we are engineering methods for precise delivery and detection of light in the intact brain, empowering our brain–computer interface research, deploying advanced optical systems integrating optics, mechanics, electronics, and control software. About the Role: As an Optical Systems Engineer, you will design, build, and validate optical systems and accompanying software to enable high-performance neuroscience in rodents. You’ll use optical and mechanical design tools to develop and characterize multifunctional imaging systems and integrate them with other modalities, such as ultrasound. You’ll collaborate closely with neuroscientists, mechanical and electrical engineers, and data scientists to deliver robust hardware and software platforms that enable sophisticated biological experiments.

Requirements

• Hold a degree in optical engineering, bioengineering, physics, or a related field (PhD or equivalent experience preferred).
• Have hands-on experience designing and aligning optical/optomechanical systems for in vivo neuroscience experiments.
• Are familiar with optical physiology and/or optogenetics
• Are proficient with Zemax OpticStudio (or equivalent), CAD tools, and optical alignment
• Have experience with software for acquiring and processing imaging data
• Enjoy collaborating across disciplines in biology and neuroscience contexts.
• Have worked in a research or startup environment and enjoy full-stack, mission-driven projects
• Take initiative and iterate quickly

Responsibilities

• Design optical systems using ray-tracing and CAD tools (e.g., Zemax, SolidWorks/Inventor).
• Build and align optical systems, including illumination and camera-based detection modules.
• Implement online data processing pipelines that enable closed-loop brain interfaces.
• Prototype and test closed-loop optical brain interfaces.
• Work with mechanical and electrical engineers to integrate optics with sensors, actuators, and control electronics.
• Define and implement optical calibration and validation protocols.
• Collaborate with neuroscientists to translate biological requirements into optical system specifications.
• Document designs and processes to support scaling and reproducibility.
• Contribute creatively to improving performance and usability

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree