Lead Optical Engineer

Primary Duties & Responsibilities


* Manage the optical requirements of the program and evaluate technical risk


* Responsible for conceptual development and detailed analysis of various optical systems that include telescopes, beam directors, relay optics, and optical test benches


* Support cross-site programs that can include refractive and reflective optical sensors from near UV to IR


* Provide support and manage optical procurement of components and subassemblies


* Responsible for the execution of the assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of optical hardware


* Generate formalized optical engineering content for design and technical reviews throughout the program life cycle (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, etc.)


* Provide understanding and design insight into physical optics, optical aberration theory and optical system performance criteria.


* Responsible for understanding properties and application of optical materials: crystalline, glass, metal, and polymer materials


* Responsible for understanding and specifying Anti-Reflective (AR), High-Reflective (HR), Ion-Beam Sputtered (IBS) dielectric, and filter optical coatings


* Troubleshoot and resolve optical design and hardware performance issues


* Recommend and implement design and process improvements


* Support optical technology development by offering insights and informed suggestions for new concepts and research and development activities


* Communicate effectively and execute with a multi-disciplinary team toward optical system goals


* Ability to work independently and status work products


* Support program management with technical advice and direction on assigned programs; adheres to program financial goals and provides financial estimates and status updates to program management

Education & Experience


* Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in optics, optical-physics, or other related discipline.

An understanding of optical design, fabrication, and test, and the ability to apply engineering theories and concepts are essential.


* Minimum 7 years of related experience in a professional role with a bachelor's degree in Optical Sciences or related discipline; or minimum of 5 years of experience with a master's degree, or 3 years of experience with a doctorate in a relevant field.

Skills


* Optical design software expertise (Code V [preferred] or ZEMAX)


* Familiarity with stray light analysis is considered a plus (FRED [preferred] or TracePro)


* Scripting capability to support various analysis tasks (MATLAB [preferred], PYTHON, Optical Software)


* Comfortable describing optics sensing and laser propagation using coherent and incoherent sources


* Technical knowledge of a wide application of principles, theories and concepts in the field of precision optical system architecture


* Responsible for performing optical sensitivity and Monte Carlo tolerance analyses with guidance


* Un...