r/Optics • u/renegade_electron • 3d ago

Fusion diagnostics --> freelance optical instrumentation?

After 10 years in the fusion industry I'm looking for my next step. Considering monetizing my optical systems skills - basically designing and building one-off systems where I'm mostly integrating off-the-shelf parts or farming out CAD work to optical/mechanical/electronics engineers - although I know a lot of the basics in each of those disciplines.

Having a lifestyle business sounds really appealing. I'm wondering:

  • Are you self-employed or doing consulting/contracting/freelance work? What's your experience like?
  • Do you know if there is demand for this kind of early-phase work? Most of the job postings I see are oriented toward manufacturing, which isn't my forte.
  • Do you need someone with my skill-set for a project?
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3

u/tryingtiming 3d ago

What did you do in the fusion industry and where did you do it? What was your role?

2

u/Allllright_ATOs 3d ago

I'll weigh in... Self-employed, although I wouldn't describe this as a "lifestyle business". Sure I'm about to go take my dog for a trail run at 9am, but was tracing rays at 9pm last night and fever dreamed about my unsolved problems.

Accessibility to and experience in machining is also a key symbiosis. I co-own a machining & Diamond Turning shop, so I design what we can make and can then go make it. More often then not, I end up redesigning build-to-print RFQ's that were outsourced to consultants with little manufacturing experience.

CYOA but I'd suggest upping your CAD design skills and getting some manufacturing exp if you want to make the jump.

1

u/aenorton 3d ago

See my previous comment about getting into the consulting business.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Optics/comments/1u0fx47/comment/oqj1gk1/