Meet Jacques, Optical Designer at Optech

Hello Jacques, can you tell us a little about your background and briefly introduce yourself?

Hello! I grew up in France, in the northern suburbs of Paris, and studied optics in Marseille, Paris, and Grenoble. After completing my Ph.D. in optics, I came to Canada for a postdoc at the University of Toronto. I thought I’d stay for two years, but it’s been nearly 30 years now! After Toronto, I worked in Ottawa for about ten years in the fiber optic telecom industry. Then, after a short period in Boston, MA, I settled in Montréal. Before joining Optech, I spent several years working remotely for a Moroccan company, designing cell phone cameras and medical endoscopes.

What inspired you to choose this career?

My parents wanted me to continue the family tradition and go into medicine, but I loved — and still love — calculations, deductions, demonstrations, beautiful equations, and elegant curves. I was also fortunate to have excellent professors who were not only passionate about their field but also about sharing their knowledge.

How would you describe your role as an Optical Designer at Optech?

In short, my role is to help develop optical technologies that meet our clients’ needs. Depending on the project, this means contributing to one or several stages of product development: from concept definition to setting up production lines, including system simulations and the design of optical and mechanical components, their fabrication, defining assembly processes, assembling prototypes, and conducting tests.

Tell us about the best project you’ve worked on at Optech.

It’s impossible to pick just one! My very first project, nearly 10 years ago, was fascinating — we designed a high-performing, innovative optical micro-switch. Another great project was with Polytechnique Montréal, where we developed an optical medical probe. It was remarkable not only for its medical advances and technical challenges but also for the collaborative spirit. I could also mention the retinal camera project or the optical decontamination of chicken carcasses and elevator buttons, but that would take too long!

What do you enjoy most about working at Optech?

Several things: the diversity of projects and fields we tackle, and the constant acquisition of new expertise. The work environment, flexible hours, and the availability of advanced equipment to work effectively also make it a pleasure to start my day each morning.

Do you have a personal mantra? A final thought?

I have several, including: The client comes first; When it needs to be done, it needs to be done; Enjoy the good moments; Put yourself in others’ shoes. And finally, as Albert Einstein said: everything is relative!

Thank you very much for your answers, Jacques, and we wish you continued success at Optech!