Career at Pioneer India

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

1. Optical System Design & Architecture
   • Lead end-to-end optical design for automotive camera systems including lens architecture, optical assembly, and performance optimization
   • Define optical specifications: field of view, resolution, MTF, distortion, chief ray angle, relative illumination, and other key parameters aligned with product requirements
   • Select and qualify lens vendors; evaluate optical designs and manage lens customization programs
   • Design IR-cut filter integration, specify lens coatings, and optimize complete light path architecture
   • Conduct tolerance analysis, optical budget allocation, and collaborate with manufacturing on assembly processes and yield optimization
2. Imaging System Integration
   • Define image sensor selection criteria and lead sensor evaluation in collaboration with electrical team
   • Optimize imaging pipeline including ISP (Image Signal Processor) tuning, color calibration, AWB, AE, and AF algorithms
   • Manage lens-sensor matching: chief ray angle optimization, lens shading correction, pixel vignetting mitigation
   • Develop optical testing procedures, IQ acceptance criteria, and camera characterization protocols
   • Drive resolution of imaging issues including flare, ghosting, chromatic aberration, and field curvature
3. Automotive-Specific Requirements
   • Design for harsh automotive environments: temperature extremes (-40°C to +85°C), vibration (MIL-STD-810), humidity, and EMI/EMC
   • Ensure compliance with automotive imaging interfaces and standards: MIPI CSI-2, GMSL2/3, FPD-Link III/IV
   • Implement HDR imaging, low-light performance optimization, and LED flicker mitigation techniques
   • Apply knowledge of ADAS camera requirements for lane detection, object recognition, and surround-view applications
4. Cross-Functional Leadership & Vendor Management
   • Partner with mechanical team on lens barrel design, mounting mechanisms, adhesive selection, and optical assembly integration
   • Collaborate with electrical team on sensor PCB design, signal integrity, thermal management, and power optimization
   • Work with layout team on component placement, optical path clearances, and packaging constraints
   • Manage strategic relationships with lens vendors, image sensor suppliers, and CM partners
   • Lead technical reviews and drive design-for-manufacturability initiatives

Required Qualifications:

• Education
  • B.Tech/M.Tech in Optical Engineering, Applied Physics, Electronics, Instrumentation, or related field
  • Advanced degree (M.Tech/PhD) in Optics, Photonics, or Imaging Science is strongly preferred
• Experience
  • 8-12 years of hands-on experience in camera module design with minimum 5 years focused on optics/lens development
  • Proven track record of shipping camera products from concept through mass production
  • Mandatory: Strong experience with automotive or industrial imaging systems (consumer electronics experience alone is insufficient)
  • Experience leading technical teams or cross-functional projects is highly desirable
• Core Technical Skills
  • Optical Design & Analysis:
    • Expert knowledge of geometric optics, lens design principles, aberration theory (spherical, coma, astigmatism, field curvature, distortion)
    • Hands-on proficiency with optical design software: Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, LightTools, or equivalent
    • Experience with lens design optimization, ray tracing, stray light analysis, and ghost/flare mitigation
  • Image Sensor & Imaging Pipeline:
    • Deep understanding of CMOS image sensors: pixel architectures (FSI/BSI, stacked sensors), readout modes, sensor characterization
    • Knowledge of ISP pipelines, demosaicing, noise reduction, sharpening, tone mapping
    • Proficiency with image quality metrics: SNR, MTF/SFR, color accuracy (ΔE), dynamic range, uniformity
  • Automotive Camera Systems:
    • Experience with automotive camera interfaces: MIPI CSI-2, GMSL (Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link), FPD-Link
    • Understanding of automotive EMC/EMI requirements and design practices
    • Familiarity with camera module manufacturing: active alignment, AA/IR filter bonding, lens assembly
• Preferred Qualifications
  • Previous development of rear-view cameras, surround-view systems, or ADAS cameras
  • Experience with wide-angle (>120°) or fisheye lens optical designs
  • Knowledge of HDR imaging techniques, low-light optimization, and LED flicker mitigation
  • Understanding of automotive quality standards: AEC-Q100, ISO 26262 (functional safety), ASPICE
  • Hands-on experience with optical lab equipment: MTF benches, spectrophotometers, integrating spheres, goniometers
  • Experience with waterproof/sealed camera designs for automotive exterior applications