Electro-Optics Materials and Device Engineer (FACULTY)

Penn State; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) seeks an Electro-Optics Materials and Device Engineer Faculty to lead basic and applied research in advanced electro-optical designs, including metasurfaces and nano-scale materials for imaging, HEL delivery, and sensing systems. Role may be filled as Research and Development Engineer or non-tenure Research Faculty.

ARL emphasizes collaboration with sponsors and multi-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and meet project schedule requirements.
• Design, analysis, procurement, assembly and testing of EO/IR components for military applications.
• Experience as a systems engineer for imaging systems.
• Experience with photonic/metamaterial designs and architectures.
• Active security clearance at the secret level with TS/SCI eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead team in ambiguous research space and develop executable plans.
• Perform physics-based modeling to predict imaging system performance.
• Drive system-level trade studies and allocate requirements across subsystems.
• Interface with sponsors, customers, users, and collaborators to scope research.
• Contribute to strategic direction by aligning capabilities with sponsor needs.
• Manage vendors and suppliers from PO to statements of work.
• Supervise engineers in day-to-day tasks and deliverables.
• Independently manage multiple electro-optic projects.

Skills

Independent work

Team leadership

Physics modeling

System engineering

EO/IR systems

Metamaterials

Vendor management

Project planning

Budgeting

Security Clearance

Education

PhD in Optics

MS in Optics

Tools

Optical design software

Job description

We are searching for an Electro-Optics Materials and Device Engineer Faculty 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. This position may be filled as either a Research and Development Engineer or a non-tenure Research Faculty. 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 needs Additional 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 solutions Non-tenure faculty rank will be commensurate with education leveland experience. Required Skills/Experience areas include: * Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and meet project schedule requirements* 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* Past success in a multitude of optical and electrical materials and systems* Past success operating as a systems engineer for imaging systems* Photonic structures and other optical metamaterial designs approaches Preferred Skills/Experience areas include: * Past success within an organization responsible for manufacturing EO/IR systems* Visible and infrared imaging system design and characterization* Electro-optical metamaterial designs approaches* Radiometry (analysis and laboratory measurements), development of link budgets, prediction of sensor response, and image quality metrics* 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 secret level, with eligibility for TS/SCI 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. FOR 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.