Lead Optical Systems Architect - Space Laser Comm & Control

CACI; Florham Park (NJ); On-site; USD 105,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

CACI is seeking a Lead Optical Systems Engineer to drive system-level design across optical communications, remote sensing, and tracking for space missions. You will define requirements, develop robust control laws, and validate them on hardware with MATLAB/Simulink and Python, collaborating with software, hardware, and test teams.

Occasional travel and field testing may be required. A PhD or advanced degree with long experience is valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus significant experience in optical systems or photonics.
• Experience with control systems, feedback, state estimation, and system dynamics.
• Hands-on lab work in optical, fiber optic, electrical, or mechanical subsystems.
• US citizenship and ability to obtain clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop optical solutions for communications, remote sensing, and tracking.
• Define system-level requirements and translate to subsystem specs.
• Design and tune control laws, filters, and estimators for hardware.
• Work with pointing/tracking systems for laser communications.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, and test teams through validation.
• Create test procedures, support production transition, field testing.

Skills

Controls and optical systems

Lab testing & validation

Python / MATLAB/Simulink

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Optical Engineering or Physics; PhD with 10+ years

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Job description

CACI is seeking a Lead Optical Systems Engineer to drive system-level design across optical communications, remote sensing, and tracking for space missions. You will define requirements, develop robust control laws, and validate them on hardware with MATLAB/Simulink and Python, collaborating with software, hardware, and test teams.

Occasional travel and field testing may be required. A PhD or advanced degree with long experience is valued.