Photonics Sensing Architect

We are looking for a collaborative, impact-driven Photonics Sensing Engineer who will help engineer, evaluate, and design new optical technologies. You will be working closely with our Director of Hardware Sensing out of the San Francisco office to help define, validate, and translate requirements alongside hardware and cross-functional stakeholders. 

Sensor Architecture & Design

• →Define, prototype and validate new sensors (optical like raman, spectroscopy, photoacoustic, QCL etc) for low-power wearable platforms.
• →Translate sensing requirements into robust hardware specifications aligned with product goals.
• →Development & Integration
• →Lead integration of optical sensors into Oura hardware, ensuring calibration, noise management, power efficiency, and high-quality signal acquisition.
• →Design and execute sensor characterization and validation tests from prototype through production.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• →Collaborate with firmware, algorithm, and systems teams to ensure accurate motion data feeds into Oura’s signal processing and machine learning stacks.
• →Contribute to product planning and sensor roadmap discussions based on performance feedback and technology advances.

Testing & Validation

• →Develop and maintain rigorous test methodologies, metrics, and automation frameworks for motion sensor performance evaluation.
• →Analyze sensor data to diagnose edge cases and performance bottlenecks and define corrective actions.

Supplier & Partner Coordination

• →Engage with sensor vendors, partners, and manufacturers to assess technology options, secure components, and optimize integration into mass-production workflows.
• →Documentation & Communication
• →Produce clear technical documentation of sensor designs, trade studies, test plans, and performance metrics.
• →Present findings and recommendations to engineering leadership and cross-disciplinary stakeholders.

This is a hybrid role out of our San Francisco office.

• 5+ years of optical and electrode sensor or similar sensor design and integration roles.
• Experience with optical and electrode sensors, and low-power embedded sensor interfaces.
• Strong background in sensor characterization, signal quality analysis, embedded systems, and data integrity practices.
• Excellent analytical problem-solving and written/verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative mindset with experience working across hardware, firmware, and analytics teams.