Director of Optics

Company Overview Red 6 is an innovative Augmented Reality (AR) technology startup leading the way in synthetic air combat training. Our primary technology, supporting our ATARS product, enables pilots to simulate the cognitive challenges of flying while accessing realistic, scalable training in dynamic outdoor environments. The Role Red 6 is seeking a technically deep, execution-oriented Director of Optics to lead the Optics Department and scale the optical engineering function across current and next-generation augmented reality systems. This is a senior leadership role focused on optics strategy, organization design, program execution, design review discipline, supplier escalation, metrology standards, and cross-functional delivery. The Director of Optics is accountable for the optical performance roadmap across the ATARS platform and future optical architectures. The role partners closely with the Principal Optical Engineer, Product, R&D, Manufacturing, Software, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to ensure optical systems move reliably from concept through prototype, validation, production transition, customer integration, and field support. The ideal candidate combines optical credibility with organizational leadership. They can challenge design assumptions, guide trade studies, and represent optics at the executive level, while building the people, processes, standards, and accountability systems required for Red 6 to scale. Role Interface with Principal Optical Engineer Paired leadership model The Director of Optics owns the optics organization, roadmap, staffing plan, execution system, cross-functional commitments, design review cadence, supplier escalation path, and optical performance accountability across programs. The Director is expected to have sufficient technical depth to challenge optical architecture decisions, guide trade studies, review risk, and represent optics credibly at the executive level. This role remains technically engaged, but it is not intended to be the primary day-to-day individual contributor for detailed optical modeling, calibration algorithm development, lab execution, or supplier technical package generation. The Principal Optical Engineer owns detailed optical architecture execution, optical modeling, prototype analysis, calibration and characterization strategy, technical supplier engagement, root-cause investigation, and hands-on optical problem solving. Together, the Director and Principal Optical Engineer operate as a high-leverage pair: the Director creates organizational leverage, prioritization, accountability, and cross-functional alignment; the Principal Optical Engineer drives technical depth, design execution, and optical problem solving. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Strategy Lead, mentor, and grow the Optics Department across multiple sites, including Principal and Senior Optical Engineers, optical technicians, and metrology specialists. Define and own the optics technology roadmap, aligning near-term program deliverables with long-term capability building and future optical architectures. Create role clarity, decision rights, and an org structure that preserves focus as programs multiply and the company scales. Drive recruiting efforts to attract elite optical talent in a competitive market while maintaining a high hiring bar and strong retention outcomes. Build structured growth plans for team members, deliberately developing future technical leaders and people managers from within the optics organization. Maintain culture consistency across sites by leading with accountability, empathy, transparency, and genuine investment in each person's development. Technical Direction & Optical Review Provide technical oversight and design review for ultra-wide field-of-view AR headset optics, freeform combiners, waveguides, HOE/PVH elements, display/backlight integration, eye-tracking optical paths, and future optical architecture…

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