Optical Engineer

Who we are

Arkeus builds AI-powered sensing systems that help autonomous platforms detect, track and understand what's happening in the most complex and contested environments. Our technology is deployed across defence and national security applications — already protecting lives and strengthening security across the U.S. and allied markets.

Backed by QIC, Main Sequence, R+VC, Salus Ventures, Folklore Ventures, DYNE Ventures and Beaten Zone Venture Partners, Arkeus is entering a major growth phase. We are a small, fast-moving company with the energy and ambition of a start-up and the technical credibility of a world-class defence technology provider.

We work at the intersection of optics, autonomy, robotics and real-time AI and we deploy what we build. If you want to ship technology that matters, not technology that ships decks, this is where you belong.

Check it yourself on News | Arkeus

We have developed an inclusive, transparent and engaging culture that focuses on building a diverse workforce — realising that to attract the very best, we need to ensure our culture is ready to welcome people from all ages, genders and backgrounds.

About the role

As an Optical Engineer at Arkeus, you will design, develop and optimise the optical and electro-optical systems at the heart of our image-based sensing technology — working at the intersection of optical science, imaging, hardware and machine learning. Your work will be central to how our systems detect and classify objects across air, land and sea, in real time and on real hardware: from the imaging optics and sensor selection through to the image quality that our computer-vision models depend on.

You will work alongside machine learning, computer vision, mechanical and electronics engineers to take optical systems from concept and modelling through to prototyping, characterisation and deployment on real platforms. As a product company that designs and manufactures in-house, you will see your designs move from the bench through to hardware operating in the field.

About you

• An engineer with a few years of hands-on optical design and modelling experience, ready to take ownership of designs and complex problems.
• A graduate in optics, photonics, physics or a related discipline, with demonstrated experience designing, tolerancing and characterising real optical systems.
• Able to take an optical design from requirements and modelling through to a tolerance-analysed, validated result — and comfortable making practical trade-offs under real-world constraints.
• Enjoys reading research, experimenting and asking good questions.
• Wants to see your designs operating in the real world, not just in simulation.

Key responsibilities

• Design, model and optimise optical and imaging systems for sensing applications.
• Perform optical tolerancing, sensitivity analysis, and performance optimisation (resolution, MTF, aberrations).
• Conduct non-sequential simulations, stray light and ghost analysis to ensure image quality.
• Select and specify optics, sensors and imaging components, and define the imaging chain from scene to sensor.
• Prototype, align and characterise optical systems on the bench and on real hardware.
• Work with mechanical and electronics engineers on optomechanical design and integration.
• Collaborate with the ML/CV teams to ensure image quality supports downstream detection and classification.
• Support the transition of designs into manufacturing; participate in design reviews; maintain documentation.

Experience and skills

• Tertiary qualification (Bachelor's or Master's) in optics, photonics, physics or a related discipline.
• 2-4 years of demonstrated optical design and modelling experience (professional, research, or substantial project work).
• Hands-on proficiency with optical design software (Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, FRED, OSLO or similar).
• Solid understanding of geometric and physical optics, imaging systems, and optical performance metrics (resolution, MTF, aberrations).
• Experience with optical tolerancing, non-sequential simulation, and stray light / ghost analysis.
• Experience with practical optical work — prototyping, alignment, integration and characterisation.
• Sound research and engineering practices.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain an Australian Defence security clearance.

Desirable

• Experience with hyperspectral, EO/IR, or spectrometer-based imaging systems.
• Exposure to aerospace, airborne remote sensing, or space optical instrumentation (e.g. OGSE).
• Experience with cameras, image sensors, and the imaging chain.
• Programming (Python/MATLAB) for optical modelling, analysis or test automation.
• Understanding of how image quality affects downstream computer-vision / ML performance.
• Familiarity with optomechanical design and manufacturing transition.
• Strong physics and mathematics background.

Why Join Arkeus

• You will work on the hardest problems in deep-tech — optics, autonomy, real-time AI and hardware-software integration in a single product. The gap between what you build and where it ends up is almost nonexistent.
• You will collaborate with exceptional leaders who have 40+ years of combined experience in autonomy, optics and defence. You will be learning from — and contributing to — the best in the field.
• You will become part of a close-knit, ego-free team where ideas compete on merit, not seniority. Low politics, high trust. The kind of team you will still be talking about in ten years.
• You will work hard and be expected to bring your best — and in return, you will grow faster than you ever would at a large organisation.
• You will work on technology that is already deployed in real environments — protecting lives and strengthening security across defence and national security applications.
• You will receive a competitive, market-benchmarked salary, structured career pathways built to grow with you, and the opportunity to participate in our Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP).
• You will have the opportunity to mentor bright emerging talent through our highly sought-after intern program and strong connections with leading universities.

If this sounds like you, please apply even if you don't check every box — we care more about how you think than whether your CV is perfect. Join our growing team and help us change the world through autonomous systems.