Optical Engineer & Color Scientist - LED Architectural Lighting

Optical Engineer & Color Scientist - LED Architectural Lighting

Apply for the Optical Engineer & Color Scientist - LED Architectural Lighting role at WAC Lighting
.

$/yr - $/yr

Job Title: Optical Engineer & Color Scientist
Location: Port Washington, NY

The Optical Engineer will lead end‑to‑end optical system design, LED selection, and color science development for advanced LED lighting products across downlighting, projection, track, and linear platforms. This role combines deep expertise in photometric analysis, spectral modeling, LED package characterization, optical simulation, and standards compliance. The ideal candidate will be highly skilled in designing optical architectures for COB and discrete LED engines, optimizing beam performance, color quality, efficacy, and ensuring compliance with emerging Dark Sky, WELL standards and other sustainability standards.

This position collaborates closely with product management, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and manufacturing teams to deliver world‑class optical and color‑rendering performance.

• Optical Design & Engineering – Lead the design and development of complete optical systems for COB, discrete LED, and multi‑source architectures; create solutions for downlights, projectors, wall washers, track heads, and linear systems using reflectors, TIR lenses, hybrid optics, mixing chambers, and light guides; perform optical simulations and ray‑tracing (Light Tools, Trace Pro, Zemax, SPEOS) to optimize beam quality, output, UGR, and efficiency;
  
  develop beam distributions; evaluate and specify secondary optics from suppliers.
• LED Selection, Color Science & Photometry – Conduct in‑depth analysis of LED specification and color science (SPD, wavelength curves, CCT, CRI/TM‑30, Duv, gamut, binning); evaluate and compare LED packages from major suppliers; interpret manufacturer data (LM‑80, IS, TM‑21/TM‑28, thermal derating); develop color mixing strategies for tunable white and RGB/RGBW systems.
• Standards Compliance & Sustainability – Ensure optical and color performance meets industry standards such as LM‑80, LM‑79, TM‑21, TM‑30, TM‑20, Zhaga, ANSI, IES, UL/ETL, WELL, Dark Sky, Turtle Friendly; apply eco‑design principles related to efficacy, energy use, and material choices.
• Optical Prototyping, Testing & Validation – Lead photometric validation, lab testing, and prototype evaluation; interpret data from goniophotometers, integrating spheres, and spectrometers; support thermal‑optical trade‑off analysis and long‑term lumen maintenance modeling.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration – Work closely with Global R&D, product managers, mechanical engineers, NPI, quality, and manufacturing teams; provide technical guidance, documentation, and support for LED selection and optics sourcing.
• Critical Success Factors – Support a multi‑year product roadmap, high‑quality specifications, competitive analysis, sustainability attributes, and circularity principles; drive adoption of sustainability‑focused product features.

• Education – Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Design, Architecture, Business, or related field required;
  Master’s or PhD preferred.
• Experience – 5–10+ years of optical engineering experience in the LED lighting industry; strong proficiency with optical simulation tools (Zemax, Light Tools, Trace Pro, Optic Studio).
• Technical Expertise – Proven design of optics for COB LED systems, discrete LED arrays, downlights, projectors, linear, wall wash, accent lighting; deep knowledge of LED color science and photometric evaluation; understanding of optical materials and components.
• Industry & Standards Knowledge – Familiarity with major LED suppliers and protocols (LM‑80, LM‑79, TM‑21, TM‑30, ANSI C78.377, WELL, IDA, Dark Sky); experience with performance modeling and eco‑design standards.
• Professional Skills – Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities; excellent communication and documentation; able to manage multiple projects and work with global teams.
• Travel Requirements – If not located at NY HQ, travel at least 6 times per year; international travel 30–40% to factories in China and Thailand;…