Prototype Engineer — Optical Systems
Own the Build. Solve the Real Problems.
Location: Rotterdam, NL Commitment: Full time Experience: 3+ years
Some engineers like to stay in the design phase. You're not one of them.
At AddOptics, we work with R&D and product development teams from some of the most innovative companies in eyewear, consumer electronics, and critical technologies. They come to us with a device concept and a lens design — and they need to know if it works before they commit to production. That's where you come in.
As a Prototype Engineer, you own the full journey from feasibility to delivered prototype. You dig into the technical challenges, figure out what's buildable, and find the solutions that make a concept real. You'll work directly with our customers' engineers and be the technical backbone of the projects you run.
What You’ll Be Working On
Assessing the technical feasibility and manufacturability of customer lens designs — understanding what works, what doesn't, and why
Owning prototype projects end to end: from first technical review through PoC, iteration, and final prototype delivery
Working hands-on with optical components, assemblies, and integration challenges — figuring out how lenses interact with the customer's broader device
Identifying and solving manufacturing constraints early, before they become expensive problems downstream
Running structured iterations based on customer test feedback — adapting quickly without losing engineering rigour
Setting up and applying measurement and verification methods to validate prototype performance
Being the technical point of contact for our customer's engineering team throughout the project
What We’re Looking For
3–7 years of hands-on experience in prototype engineering, product development, or precision manufacturing
A solid understanding of optical and mechanical systems — you know how components interact in the real world, not just on paper
Experience assessing manufacturability and translating design intent into something that can actually be built
Comfort working at the interface of optics, mechanics, and assembly — this is rarely a single-discipline problem
Methodical, structured thinking — you document your process, your decisions, and your results
Clear communication with external stakeholders — you can explain a technical trade-off to a customer engineer without losing the detail that matters
A BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field
The Kind of Person Who Thrives Here
You're energised by the moment a design goes from concept to something you can hold and test. You take ownership seriously — not because someone's watching, but because you care about the outcome. You're rigorous without being slow, and you know that a good prototype isn't just one that works in the lab — it's one that teaches the customer something.
What You’ll Get
Full ownership of your projects, from technical kickoff to customer delivery
Direct collaboration with leading R&D and product teams in optics and vision technology
A close-knit team where people genuinely know and support each other
We take the work seriously, and we take the time to celebrate what we achieve together
Competitive salary and benefits
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