OPDEV
Optical Product Development

Est. 1996

Full‑Stack
Optical Product
Development.

I don't explain optics — I deliver finished imaging systems that get your product to market on time and on budget. — Michael Thomas, Principal

35+
Years Experience
4
Companies Founded
500K+
Lenses Delivered
$100M+
Client Revenue
Capabilities

A bespoke imaging group focused on optical performance, schedule, and cost.

01

Imaging Systems Development

From designing custom prime and zoom lenses or acting as your in-house design authority, we develop robust imaging solutions spanning UV through Infrared using CODE V and Zemax. We excel at creative solutions that can be produced economically.

Lens Design Opto-Mechanical Design Illumination & Stray Light Active Alignment
02

Product Strategy & Brand

Product strategy from concept to market including IP development, NPI road-mapping, and brand positioning — including emerging AI imaging applications. Proven experience launching successful imaging companies like Moment and Module 8.

Industrial Design Mechanical Realization Packaging Design IP Strategy
03

OEM Production

From custom optics to build to print, OPDEV delivers the perfect balance of cost and performance, creating meaningful value for our clients. We manage the entire vendor qualification, supplier execution and quality control process — delivering finished product to your door.

Turn Key Production Custom Assemblies Build to Print White Label OEM
The Team

OPDEV works with a select number of clients at any time — every program gets full principal attention, not a junior team.

Michael Thomas

Principal · Full-Stack Optical Engineering

35 years of optical design leadership, supply chain excellence and optical entrepreneurship. Co-founder of Hyperion Development (acquired 2016), Moment Lens (exit 2016), and Module 8.

LinkedIn Profile →

Iain Neil

Principal Consultant · Legendary Lens Design

One of the most distinguished optical designers in the world. Landmark work spanning cinema prime and zoom lenses, defense systems, and scientific imaging — including decades of work with the world's leading lens manufacturers. Co-developing next-generation AI imaging systems with OPDEV.

Jim Elias

Opto-Mechanical Engineering

Expert in mechanical realization of precision optical systems — housings, mounts, alignment fixtures, thermal compensation, tolerance-stack analysis. Bridges lens prescription to manufacturable hardware.

Industry Depth

Industry Depth.
Proven
Delivery.

Autonomous Systems

Lenses and active aligned assemblies for autonomy, robotics, AI imaging, Lidar, drone optics, ADAS, and machine vision systems.

Cinema & Broadcast

Prime and zoom lenses, viewfinders, 3D projection, anamorphic.

Consumer & Mobile

Mobile lenses, consumer camera lenses, embedded imaging and computational imaging for smart devices.

Defense & Surveillance

Prime and zoom lenses for SWIR, MWIR and LWIR, night vision, multispectral imaging, satellite imaging, and remote sensing.

Display & AR/VR

Fixed and zoom projection lenses, head mounted displays, AR/VR optics, AR headset optics, theatrical projection and simulation.

Medical & Scientific

Endoscope lens design, ophthalmic imaging, surgical imaging, custom microscopy, and semiconductor inspection optics.