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

Interested?

Are you enthusiastic? Send your motivation letter and CV to us via hr@addoptics.com