Illumination Engineer Lead Job Details | Acuity Inc.

Acuity Inc. is a market-leading industrial technology company focused on innovative lighting solutions. The Illumination Engineer Lead will contribute to the Nexus team by developing early-stage illumination concepts, conducting optical system design, and performing photometric analysis to create differentiated lighting solutions.

Responsibilities

• Collaboratively generate ideas for new products and develop those ideas into product concepts
• Translate customer needs, application requirements, and business objectives into illumination concepts and system-level performance targets
• Perform competitive analysis and market research to set project objectives and performance criteria
• Develop optical designs using ray trace and simulation tools to evaluate and refine light distribution, efficiency, glare, uniformity, and visual comfort
• Design optical architectures including lenses, reflectors, diffusers, and mixed systems
• Perform photometric calculations to quantify and set luminaire performance targets and application outcomes
• Interpret key metrics such as intensity, illuminance, luminance, uniformity, efficacy, and glare
• Develop, build, and evaluate proof of concept prototypes and mockups using lab measurements and group visual review of subjective criteria
• Correlate simulation results with measured performance
• Plan and execute experiments to explore materials, architectures, and system behaviors
• Use data to guide concept evolution and optimization
• Participate in ideation sessions and innovation events
• Generate novel approaches to light delivery, visual experience, and system integration
• Monitor emerging optical technologies, research, standards, and competitors
• Identify opportunities for new illumination approaches
• Work with mechanical, electrical, controls, industrial design, manufacturing, sourcing, and product teams
• Balance performance, cost, manufacturability, and user experience
• Develop clear presentations of optical concepts, simulations, test results, and tradeoffs
• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders how design decisions impact user experience and the lighting application
• Document innovations and support patent development efforts
• Provide optical expertise across projects, including reviews, benchmarking, application and product performance analysis

Skills

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Illumination Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Entry Level: 0–3 years in illumination engineering, optics, or related fields
• Senior Level: ~5–10 years of relevant experience with demonstrated ownership of optical design and analysis
• Lead Level: 10+ years with experience leading complex optical development and influencing product direction
• Experience with optical simulation tools (e.g., Photopia, LightTools, or equivalent)
• Experience with CAD and photometric tools (e.g., Visual, AGI32, Dialux, Rhino, Grasshopper, SolidWorks, or equivalents)
• Knowledge of photometric analysis and lighting performance metrics
• Experience with prototype development and validation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines
• Clear communication of complex technical concepts
• Familiarity with lighting standards and measurement practices
• Experience with IP or patent processes

Benefits

• Health care
• Dental coverage
• Vision plans
• 401K benefits
• Commissions/incentive compensation depending on the role

Company Overview