Lead Optical Engineer - Stray Light & Imaging Systems

I8IS - Infiniti Software Solutions; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

I8IS - Infiniti Software Solutions in Rochester, NY seeks a Lead Optical Engineer - Stray Light to guide design, analysis, integration, and verification of advanced optical/electro-optical systems for aerospace and defense programs.

You will focus on stray light analysis, non-sequential modeling, and radiometric performance, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability, testing, and mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 9+ years of relevant experience, or Master's with 7+ years.
• In lieu of a degree, 13+ years of relevant experience.
• 2-3 years of experience using optical stray light analysis tools such as FRED.
• Ability to obtain a federal security clearance.
• Strong background in optical engineering, imaging systems, or electro-optical systems.
• Experience with optical modeling, analysis, testing, and verification.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support optical engineering activities for advanced imaging, sensing, and electro-optical systems.
• Develop non-sequential stray light and radiometric models for imaging systems.
• Analyze scattering, ghosting, optical throughput, and stray light performance for space-based payloads.
• Perform optical performance analysis covering wavefront error, line of sight, distortion, focus, focal length, image quality, and related metrics.
• Conduct end-to-end analyses connecting optical design characteristics to mission-level image quality, signal-to-noise, and sensitivity.
• Identify stray light sources and develop mitigation strategies.
• Support optical design trades involving baffles, stops, surface treatments, contamination control, and alignment strategies.
• Evaluate optical performance throughout integration, testing, and environmental exposure.
• Develop and review test plans, procedures, error budgets, verification documentation, design review materials, and technical reports.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure optical designs are manufacturable, testable, and properly integrated.
• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of optical performance issues.
• Support hardware builds, laboratory demonstrations, integration activities, and verification campaigns.
• Interface with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and external partners to coordinate technical execution.
• Identify technical risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Mentor junior optical engineers and provide technical guidance.

Skills

Optical engineering

Imaging systems

Stray light analysis

FRED

MATLAB

Python

Radiometric modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Equivalent experience

Tools

FRED

Zemax OpticStudio

Code V

MATLAB

Python

Zygo Mx

QED.NET

Job description

I8IS - Infiniti Software Solutions in Rochester, NY seeks a Lead Optical Engineer - Stray Light to guide design, analysis, integration, and verification of advanced optical/electro-optical systems for aerospace and defense programs.

You will focus on stray light analysis, non-sequential modeling, and radiometric performance, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability, testing, and mission success.