We encounter products built by optical engineers every day. Cameras, contact lenses, scanners, VR goggles, lasers, and optical fibers—these are just some of the products that apply the concepts of optical engineering and have been developed through the expertise of an optical engineer. If your company is in the business of designing, building, or manufacturing optical devices, then you need to hire optical engineers to ensure that your products function as expected. Here’s a guide on how to hire optical engineer experts, from what to expect, what to look for, and what to ask during the job interview.
What Does an Optical Engineer Do?
An optical engineer uses the science of optics, which involves the properties of light, to research, design, and develop applications in industrial or manufacturing settings. They study how light is produced, transmitted, detected, and measured, and how it interacts with matter, to find ways in which it can be used as optical technology.
Optical engineers can work in various fields, though they often specialize in a specific branch. Some focus on research, while others deal with design and development.
What to Look For in an Optical Engineer
The best optical engineers have a strong background and substantial experience in the field, on top of necessary research, analytical, and design skills. Here are some qualities to look for in an optical engineer:
Optical Engineering Background
Optical engineering is a specialized field. Look for an optical engineer that has the required foundations needed to understand and apply the science. Consider their educational background, as well as any additional certificates they may have that show they are experts in the discipline–you’ll also want to double-check that they are licensed.
Field Experience
Optical engineers often specialize in a specific field: medical, research, product development, etc. It would be beneficial to hire one that aligns with the field your business is in.
Knowledge of Physics and Math
The application of optical engineering involves a lot of math and physics, and it’s important that an optical engineer is adept in both subjects to be able to accomplish their work efficiently and accurately.
Research Skills
There are always new developments in optical engineering, and a good optical engineer will have the research skills needed to stay updated with the latest technology and concepts that they’ll apply to their work.
Design and Development Abilities
Optical engineers are rarely there to simply consult. They are usually hands-on in their projects, working in design and development to ensure that optical engineering concepts are incorporated properly in each applicable aspect. Look for an expert that thoroughly understands basic concepts of design and development so you can rest assured that your product development process goes seamlessly.
Analytical Skills
As with all scientific fields, optical engineering needs to be well-calculated. One wrong move can cost you time, money, and resources. so you must find an optical engineer with careful analytical skills to make sure that everything is always exact.
Questions to Ask When Hiring an Optical Engineer
Now that you know what to look for in an optical engineer, it’s time to get ready to interview some prospective candidates. Here are some interview questions for an optical engineer:
- What field in optical engineering do you specialize in?
- Which optical products have you worked on in the past?
- What is key to developing stable optical or imaging systems?
- When designing a new optical product, how do you determine the specifications?
- What is your process for testing a new optical design?
- Do you have experience applying new optical technology or information to a project? How did it help?
- How do you organize, plan, and prioritize your work?
- How do you work with a large amount of information or data?
- How do you analyze information or evaluate results to make the best decisions?
- What are some long-range objectives that you developed in your last project?
- How often do you perform routine maintenance on optical products?
- What would you do if you made a mistake in the design of an optical product?
- Do you have any experience with programming?
- What would you do to address bugs in the programming of an optical system?
- Are you comfortable working with a team of engineers to develop optical products?
Find a Freelance Optical Engineer on Guru
You can find the best freelance optical engineers on Guru. With more than 300 optical engineering experts to choose from, you’re bound to find the right fit for your company—a professional that fits your standards and is the best candidate for the design, development, or manufacturing of your products. Search for your ideal candidate on Guru today!
