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Level Zero Health is a venture-backed biosensor startup (backed by SOSV and Entrepreneur First, recognized as a top 20 startup at TechCrunch Disrupt 2024) pioneering next-generation biosensor technology for precise, real-time monitoring of critical endocrine biomarkers. The company is developing wearable medical devices that deliver clinical-grade health data directly to individuals.
You will own the design and development of optical and camera subsystems at the heart of Level Zero's wearable medical devices. This is a hands-on role at the intersection of optical design, imaging, optomechanics, and medical product development. Working closely with the founding team, biochemists, and multidisciplinary engineers, you'll take optical concepts from simulation through prototyping, verification, and volume manufacture.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design and develop optical and camera subsystems (image sensors, lenses, illumination sources, filters, light guides)
- Create compact, highly integrated optical systems within tight size, power, and thermal constraints
- Model and simulate optical systems using ray-tracing and optical design tools, including performance analysis, stray light assessment, and optical tolerancing
- Specify, select, and qualify camera modules, image sensors, LEDs, photodetectors, and optical components; work with suppliers on integration
- Design optomechanical assemblies (lens mounts, alignment features, moulded optics) in collaboration with mechanical teams
- Define image quality and optical performance requirements (resolution, MTF, SNR, uniformity, dynamic range) linked to biosensing measurement
- Develop calibration methods, alignment processes, and optical test fixtures for development and production
- Develop and execute verification test methods to evaluate optical performance and reliability; plan engineering testing and iterate designs based on data
- Lead optical investigations, identify root causes of failures, and implement design improvements
- Apply human-centered design practices to ensure optical performance is robust across real-world use, users, and wear conditions
- Work with external suppliers, camera module manufacturers, and optical component vendors
- Create detailed design specifications, engineering requirements, and optical architecture documentation
- Balance optical performance, size, power, usability, reliability, manufacturability, and cost
- Contribute to early-stage R&D, collaborating with engineering leadership and the science team
The company offers a full-time role with competitive salary, equity options, direct collaboration with the founding team, opportunities for leadership and career advancement, and travel to New York and other R&D sites.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must have:
- Master's degree or PhD with 3+ years of industry experience in optics, photonics, physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or related discipline
- Experience developing optical or camera systems for medical devices, wearables, consumer electronics, or other compact products
- Experience designing miniaturized optical systems or integrating compact camera modules
- Strong proficiency with optical design and simulation tools (Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, LightTools, Ansys Speos, or similar)
- Solid understanding of image sensors, camera architectures, and imaging performance metrics (MTF, SNR, distortion, dynamic range)
- Experience with illumination design (LED selection, light guides, diffusers, optical filters)
- Experience performing optical tolerance analysis and designing for manufacturability and alignment
- Experience designing or specifying optomechanical assemblies; understanding of engineering drawings and GD&T
- Experience creating and refining optical test methods, calibration procedures, and verification plans
- Experience working with external suppliers, camera module manufacturers, and optical component vendors
- Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data analysis, image analysis, and test automation
- Experience with DFMEA and structured engineering risk management
- Proven ability to troubleshoot optical and imaging problems using structured root cause analysis
- Experience creating engineering documentation (design specifications, product requirements)
- Strong communication skills and ability to work within multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Comfortable taking ownership of significant subsystems while working with appropriate technical guidance
Nice to have:
- Experience with optical biosensing techniques (fluorescence, colorimetric, absorbance, reflectance-based detection)
- Experience with point-of-care diagnostics or lateral flow readers
- Experience designing wearable medical devices
- Knowledge of ISO 13485, ISO 14971, IEC 60601, or IEC 62471 (photobiological safety)
- Experience with verification and validation (V&V) testing
- Experience with moulded polymer optics or wafer-level optics
- Experience with image processing, computer vision, or machine learning for image analysis
- Experience with active alignment and camera module production processes
- Familiarity with Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical data analysis
- Experience supporting pilot builds, manufacturing scale-up, and production transfer
- Prior work in a startup or small company environment
- Prior work in medical device development
