Director, Optical Engineering

Eikon Therapeutics is a new biopharmaceutical company employing revolutionary technology at the intersection of chemistry, engineering, computation, and biology to discover novel treatments for life-threatening diseases. Eikon’s discovery platform is built on groundbreaking innovations from its founders (Nobel Prize, 2014), culminating in the creation of microscopes which enable real time, molecular-resolution measurements of protein movement in living cells, thereby unlocking otherwise intractable classes of proteins as drug targets. Position We are seeking a visionary and accomplished Director, Optical Engineering, to lead our dynamic team in the design, development, and optimization of advanced optical systems at the intersection of biology and technology. In this pivotal role, you will lead a team to drive innovation and shape the direction of optical engineering projects, contributing to groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology. About You You have extensive experience designing and optimizing complex optical systems, with a specialization in imaging techniques and spectroscopy for biological applications. Proficiency with optical modeling and simulation software (e.g., Zemax or Code V) is a must for optimizing sophisticated optical designs. You bring demonstrated leadership in overseeing the assembly, calibration, and validation of advanced optical systems, along with strong analytical capabilities for interpreting intricate optical data and extracting meaningful insights. In-depth knowledge of optical components, detectors, imaging devices, and lasers is highly valued. You have a proven ability, and creativity, to solve challenging problems, troubleshoot optical systems, maintain their functionality, and drive innovation. Excellent communication and leadership skills are essential for building strong teams, fostering collaboration, and achieving results across diverse groups. Awareness of emerging optical technologies, trends, and industry developments is also important, as is a dedication to upholding ethical standards, safety practices, and regulatory mandates within optical engineering activities. What You’ll Do • Lead a team of skilled optical engineers in conceptualizing, designing, and refining cutting-edge optical systems that play a pivotal role in our biotech research and applications. • Utilize your extensive expertise in optical engineering and profound understanding of biological and technological domains to drive innovation and develop novel solutions for intricate imaging, data acquisition, and analysis challenges. • Oversee end-to-end optical engineering projects, from initial ideation and design to prototyping, testing, and validation. • Foster seamless collaboration across cross-functional teams, including software, data analysis, biology, chemistry, and other disciplines, to integrate optical systems into comprehensive solutions. • Provide mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth to team members, fostering a positive culture of continuous learning and innovation. • Stay abreast of emerging optical technologies, tools, and industry trends, contributing to the advancement of optical engineering methodologies. • Conduct comprehensive optical characterization and analysis, deriving valuable insights from complex optical data. • Cultivate strategic partnerships with external vendors, suppliers, and collaborators to remain at the forefront of optical advancements and components. • Maintain meticulous documentation of optical designs, methodologies, and experimental outcomes. • Uphold the highest standards of safety, ethics, and regulatory compliance in all optical engineering pursuits. Qualifications • Post Graduate degree with 10+ years of relevant experience or a in O