Electro-Optics Materials and Device Engineer

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; State College (Centre County); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 266,000; Full time

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University in State College, PA, seeks an Electro-Optics Materials and Device Engineer to lead advanced EO/IR research, modeling, and system-level design for military applications.

You will collaborate with a small team, interface with sponsors, manage projects and vendors, and travel to remote testing sites while advancing metasurface technologies and photonic structures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science.
• Extensive experience in EO/IR systems research.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct basic and applied EO/IR research.
• Perform physics-based modeling to predict imaging performance.
• Coordinate with sponsors, customers, and collaborators.
• Manage project planning, budgeting, and scheduling.
• Lead engineers in day-to-day tasking and manage multiple EO/IR projects.

Skills

EO/IR design

Leadership

Systems engineering

Modeling & simulation

Security clearance

Metamaterials photonics

Vendor management

Project planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science

Job description

## Electro-Optics Materials and Device EngineerApply: Penn State University Park: Full time: Posted Today: REQ\\_0000082245# **APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:*** ## CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.### **Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.**### **POSITION SPECIFICS**Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA. This position will require periodic travel to remote locations (including the Electro-Optics & Electronics (EOE) Freeport Office near Pittsburgh, PA) in support of collaboration and testing as part of a small team of researchers, engineers, and technologists.We are searching for a Research & Development Engineer to join our EOE Division at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. EOE develops innovative optical solutions for imaging, high-energy laser (HEL) delivery, and sensing systems, and maintains the design and testing capabilities required to build and fully characterize all aspects of optical performance – from image quality to HEL coating damage testing. This role will lead and conduct basic and applied research of advanced electro-optical designs, including metasurfaces, photonic structures and other emerging material and nano-science applications. You will have the ability to take on challenges where the path the research may take is not clear, and the outcome is not known or guaranteed.ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.You will:* Act as part of team leadership that operates in this ambiguous space and develops the executable plan for the rest of the team* Perform physics-based modeling to predict the performance of imaging system concepts and designs* Drive system level trade studies to develop architectures and allocate system level requirements across subsystems and engineering disciplines* Routinely interface with sponsors, customers, end-users, and collaborators to understand their problems, brainstorm solutions, scope research, communicate the technical aspects of research execution, and convey the significance of results* Provide input to the strategic direction of the department’s research pursuits by helping to establish the appropriate core competencies and evaluating where our capabilities best align with a sponsor’s needsAdditional responsibilities of the higher-level include:* Leverage prior first-hand experience with building and testing advanced, state-of-the-art electro-optic systems* Track the latest developments in electro-optic systems and advise on how and when to integrate them into on-going and future research opportunities.* Perform project planning, budgeting, and scheduling* Manage vendors and suppliers, from purchase orders through statements of work* Lead other engineers in day-to-day tasking to satisfy stakeholder’s requirements and expectations* Independently manage multiple and/or large electro-optic projects* Develop and propose solutions for new applications* Perform the role of Trusted Agent to the government to assess and validate state-of-the art electro-optic systems and solutionsRequired Skills/Experience areas include:* Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and meet project schedule requirements* Direct experience with the design, analysis, procurement, assembly and testing of components and complete electro-optic and infrared (EO/IR) systems for military applications* Microelectronic systems and detector fabrication processes* Success in a multitude of optical and electrical materials and systems* Success operating as a systems engineer for imaging systems* Familiarity with photonic structures and other optical metamaterial designs approaches* Active security clearance, at the secret level, with eligibility for TS/SCIPreferred Skills/Experience areas include:* Experience within an organization responsible for manufacturing EO/IR systems* Direct experience with visible and infrared imaging system design and characterization* Strong knowledge of electro-optical metamaterial designs approaches* Radiometry (analysis and laboratory measurements), development of link budgets, prediction of sensor response, and image quality metrics* Significant experience with electro-optic designs that extend the electro-optic state-of-the-art* Significant experience bringing together distributed teams to achieve multiplied results* Active security clearance at the TS/SCI level or higher **MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS**If filled as R&D Engineer - Optical and Photonic Systems (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science19+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as R&D Engineer - Optical and Photonic Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires:Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science14+ years of relevant experienceRequired Certifications:None### ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.**F******O**R FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.** **BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES**Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.### Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL):Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. **SALARY & BENEFITS**The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $140,004.00 - $265,704.00.