This article digs into Optex Systems Holdings’ decision to bring on a new Director of Optical Coating Technology. What does this mean for the company’s research, manufacturing chops, and its role in defense optics? Drawing on years—okay, decades—of industry experience, it’s clear that leadership in thin-film coating science shapes performance, reliability, and how well you stack up against competitors in military optics.
Strengthening Leadership in Optical Coating Science
Optex Systems Holdings just named Brian Bushnell as Director of Optical Coating Technology, starting January 5, 2026. For those of us who’ve spent what feels like a lifetime at the crossroads of applied optics, materials science, and defense manufacturing, this shows a real commitment to deep technical expertise and top-notch operations.
Bushnell comes to the Richardson, Texas–based optics maker with a career that fuses hands-on engineering and executive leadership. He’s got the background to steer advanced research and keep production humming along—a tricky but necessary balance in today’s optical manufacturing world.
A Career Grounded in Engineering and Management
Before Optex, Bushnell logged eight years at Raytheon in McKinney, Texas, where he ended up as Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering. He worked on some pretty complex defense programs, where getting the optical and opto-mechanical stuff right is absolutely mission critical.
His academic background backs up that mix of technical skill and business sense:
MBA, Texas A&M University–Commerce
Master of Applied Physics, University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington
Driving Innovation in Thin-Film Optical Coatings
In this new role, Bushnell will lead research and development and push for better optical coating processes and stronger operational performance. Thin-film coatings—especially those that cover everything from visible to infrared—are at the heart of today’s military optics. They affect how much light gets through, how tough the optics are, and how well they handle rough environments.
Optex expects Bushnell’s leadership to:
Boost manufacturing output
Broaden and strengthen product lines
Lift financial and operational results
From Visible to Infrared: A Strategic Capability
Bill Bates, General Manager of the Applied Optics Center, called out Bushnell’s know-how with visible and infrared thin-film coatings as a major plus. This range matters a lot for defense platforms that depend on multi-band imaging, targeting, and keeping track of what’s going on around them.
For companies supplying military gear, nailing coating uniformity, adhesion, and spectral performance isn’t just nice to have—it’s the cost of entry.
Optex Systems’ Role in Defense Optics
Founded in 1987, Optex Systems Holdings has earned a name as a steady maker of precision optical sighting systems for U.S. military vehicles and defense work. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, which shows they take quality management and consistent manufacturing seriously.
Optex sells products both straight to U.S. military branches and to big defense contractors. You’ll find its optics on platforms like:
Abrams main battle tanks
Bradley fighting vehicles
Stryker armored vehicles
Why Coating Technology Matters for Military Platforms
On these vehicles, optical coatings have to take a beating—vibration, wild temperature swings, sand, moisture, and years of use. Having leadership that gets both thin-film physics and the real-world challenges of production is crucial if you want to deliver at scale.
Looking Ahead: Opportunity and Risk
The company’s announcement includes a standard safe-harbor statement. They note that forward-looking expectations come with risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ—sometimes by a lot.
This is a familiar reminder in the defense and advanced manufacturing sectors. Program timelines, funding, and technical challenges can shift fast.
From an industry perspective, Optex’s decision to elevate optical coating expertise at the director level says something important. Advanced coatings are central to the future of military optics.
With Bushnell’s experience, Optex looks pretty well-positioned to strengthen its technical foundation. They seem ready to support evolving defense requirements in the years ahead.
Here is the source article for this story: Optex Systems Announces Brian Bushnell as Director of Optical Coatings Technology