NRCA Associate Principal Scientist

Company Summary:

Nikon Research Corporation of America (NRCA) located in Belmont, CA and Tucson, AZ is a 70-person R&D subsidiary of Nikon, Japan.  Members of our Precision Mechatronics group design and build prototype systems to support Nikon’s Next Generation Project Division efforts to invent new products that will power Nikon’s future. Examples of the products we work on are metal 3D printers, precision measurement and robotics, industrial metrology tools, optical measurement equipment, and semiconductor lithography machines (wafer steppers). The engineering is challenging and fun, because with micron- and nanometer-level accuracy everything (e.g., mechanical stiffness, thermal expansion, actuator linearity, sensor accuracy, acoustic vibration, structural resonance) matters.  The work environment is great because we have the informality and flexibility of a small company, but the stability and resources of a big parent in Japan.

Position Title: Associate Principal Optical Scientist

Location: Tucson, AZ

Position Type: Full Time Regular

Salary Range: $121,100 - $202,200

Posted salary range is entry level, actual compensation depends on experience level

Schedule: M-F

Environment: Lab Environment

Travel: Domestic and International Travel Required

Position Overview:

Nikon Research Corporation of America (NRCA) is seeking a highly motivated and creative optical scientist to work on the development of solutions to optical design challenges in a wide variety of areas such as optical system design, optical metrology, and large-scale metrology.

Description of responsibilities:

• Develop, simulate, evaluate and experimentally prove performance and feasibility of novel optical systems in support of a wide variety of Nikon’s business units and across a wide range of research interests.
  • This may include but is not limited to: metrology, robotics, machine vision for automated manufacturing, microscopy, metasurfaces, and additive manufacturing.
• Simulate a wide variety of optical phenomena, enabling them to find and demonstrate the utility in novel applications.
• This candidate needs to be able to manage small interdisciplinary project teams.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of geometrical and physical optics
• Graduate level background in mathematics and physics
• Proven ability and interest in building experimental and special purpose optical systems
• Proven ability and interest in creative modeling of optical systems, including of complex optical phenomena
• Experience using optical design and modeling software such as FRED, ASAP, LightTools, CODEV, Zemax, RSoft, etc.
• Experience using high level programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or Mathematica
• Some experience programming with lower level languages such as C/C
• Good communication skills, particularly in the area of preparing and delivering presentations on a weekly basis

If you have most or all of the following, please apply:

• PhD in the field of Optics
• 5-10 years of experience in optical sciences or a related field
• Clear communication and presentation across an international multi-lingual audience is also a required skill.
• Experience managing small, interdisciplinary project teams

Physical Requirements:

N/A

Compensation and Benefits:

NRCA is committed to providing a competitive total rewards package, including but not limited to:

• Competitive compensation, including:
  • Base pay
  • Annual cash bonus
• 401K retirement plan with employer contribution (no employee matching required!)
• Exceptional medical, dental, prescription, vision, other insurance programs
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA) for health and dependent care expenses
• Paid vacation, sick and volunteer time plus holidays
• Strong career development and plentiful training opportunities, including Tuition Assistance
• Employee events, activities, and volunteer opportunities
• Nikon product discount program
• Commitment to and support of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including mental health resources and support
• Opportunities for domestic and international travel (if applicable)

Other Job Requirements:

• Export Control/ ITAR: Due to export control and International Traffic In Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements, in order to be eligible for NPI employment, you must be a S. citizen, have a permanent resident status in the U.S. (a “green card”), or a foreign national with eligibility as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15).

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Nikon Research Corporation of America is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Privacy Notice and Consent:

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”) and other applicable privacy regulations, Nikon Research Corporation of America (NRCA) is required to disclose whenever personal information is collected from you in certain contexts, such as to provide or receive a product or service. If you have a visual disability, you may be able to use a screen reader or other tools to review the contents of this notice. More information about NRCAs Privacy Policy is available at: https://www.nikonprecision.com/privacy/. For CA Residents, please carefully review NRCAs Supplemental CCPA Privacy Policy available at: https://www.nikonprecision.com/privacy/caresidentsonly/.

By clicking “apply,” you authorize and give your consent for NRCA to use the personal information you provided for future communications related to the recruitment and hiring process, both for current and future job openings (“Purpose”). You further certify that you are over 18 years of age. NRCA may be required to provide your contact information to third parties in order to perform the above Purpose. However, NRCA does not sell, rent, or lease your personal information to third parties.

Salary : $121,100 - $202,200