Optical Engineer

Why Work at Banner?

For over 50 years, Banner Engineering has been at the forefront of industrial automation. We offer products and solutions including award-winning sensors, wireless solutions, machine safety, indication and LED lighting. From Fortune 500 leaders to innovative startups, Banner's award-winning products and solutions are helping companies around the world increase efficiency, reduce costs, safeguard equipment, and protect personnel. Our commitment to innovation shows through a continuous, market-driven evolution of products and technology. With engineers employed in nearly every major department, engineering is in our DNA.

Banner is a rapidly growing company that offers many personal development opportunities, an excellent benefits package, and a collaborative team of employees who are passionate about what they do.

Pay and Benefits

Banner Engineering is committed to offering competitive pay and benefits, including, but not limited to:

• 401(k) with match
• Student Loan 401(k) match program
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance Plans
• HSA (Health Savings Account) with company contribution
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sales and Profit Sharing Elegibility
• Flexible work hours
• Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Pet Insurance

Base Pay Range: $98,147 - $138,468

*Please note some career sites assign estimated compensation ranges that may not accurately reflect what is offered by Banner Engineering.

Position Summary

Banner is seeking an experienced Optical Engineer to join our New Product Development group. In this role, you will work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment to design, improve, and support products across a broad range of product lines. This position offers both autonomy and the opportunity to make a direct impact on Banner's continued growth and success.

This position reports to the Engineering Manager II - Optics

What You'll Be Doing

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working both individually and collaboratively, staying on top of tasks, and making a meaningful impact across teams and projects. Below are some key responsibilities of the role.

Key Responsibilities

• Design optical systems and subsystems for new industrial sensors utilizing laser, radar, and emerging sensing technologies
• Conduct research and support prototyping of new technologies
• Enhance and modify products based on customer feedback and market needs
• Support customer applications by verifying feasibility and troubleshooting issues
• Develop a strong understanding of Banner technologies, processes, and product lines
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product development efforts
• Validate performance through component, subassembly, and full sensor-level testing
• Stay current with best practices in optical engineering metrology and analysis
• Partner with Banner's Purchasing team and external vendors to qualify optical components
• Other duties as assigned

What You Bring to the Table

To be successful in this role, you'll need a strong mix of technical expertise, problem-solving ability, and collaboration skills. Regular attendance and the ability to perform each essential duty are required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to support individuals with disabilities.

Required

• A minimum of 0-2 years of experience in optical engineering, product development, or a related field

• Bachelor's degree or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics
• Proficiency in ZEMAX and optical simulation/analysis tools
• Programming skills in Python, C++, or C#
• Strong communication, analytical, technical, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to prioritize tasks, collaborate across teams, and adapt in fast-paced environments
• Passion for innovation, advancing technology, and contributing to Banner's mission

Preferred

• Familiarity with basic optical engineering principles
• Strong analytical and statistical skills, and experience with software such as Minitab, MATLAB, Mathcad, MS Office, Monte Carlo methods, etc.
• Good organizational and communication skills
• Able to travel up to 10% to remote production facilities
• Experience in product design for industrial applications
• Working knowledge of optical design and analysis software such as ZEMAX
• Experience with optical metrology, including profilometry, interferometry, or spectroscopy
• Basic electronics (testing and schematics) and mechanical (GD&T and drawings) knowledge
• Familiarity with optical fabrication processes, particularly injection molded plastic and glass lenses
• Experience working with suppliers

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory

What to Expect at Work

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to support individuals with disabilities.

• Sit for up to 8 hours per day.
• Continuous movement, walking, or standing.
• Exposed to a computer screen for extended periods
• May require repetitive motions such as utilize a computer mouse, keyboard, computer, and other standard office equipment.
• Communicate with others frequently.
• Occasionally lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds.

Working Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those you may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Corporate office environment - indoor and climate-controlled

Core Values

Customer Driven, Accountability Focused, Integrity Always, New Solutions - Every Day

If you excel in a dynamic, collaborative environment and are looking for meaningful challenges and opportunities to grow, you'll find a great fit here. Banner Engineering is a premier employer headquartered in MN, offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional development as we rapidly grow in the Industrial Automation industry.

Banner Engineering is an equal opportunity employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Affirmative Action (AA)/Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) M/F/D/V

This job description reflects management's assignment of key responsibilities; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.