Lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer

CACI International Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 121,000 - 266,000; Full time

Job summary

CACI International Inc. is seeking a Lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer to join our Photonics team.

You will lead packaging and integration of optical systems for satellites and aircraft, translating optical prescriptions to robust mechanical designs and coordinating with vendors and analysts. The role requires ownership from concept through flight qualification, design for manufacturing, and leadership of a small to mid-size team.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering with 10+ years of related experience or equivalent.
• Proficient CAD skills; SolidWorks preferred.
• Experience with optomechanical systems, precision structures, or high-stability assemblies.
• Strong understanding of optical mounts, materials, tolerancing, and alignment.
• Ownership mindset with leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM).
• Must be a US Citizen.

Responsibilities

• Design packaging for complex subsystems with optical, photonic, electrical, and mechanical elements for R&D and production.
• Own designs from concept through flight qualification, including requirements definition, trade studies, and detailed design.
• Collaborate with optical engineers to translate optical prescriptions into robust mechanical designs.
• Design optical mounts and systems for launch loads, vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and vacuum environments.
• Collaborate with and manage 3rd party vendors to resolve specification, performance, and reliability issues to realize the commercial and custom parts necessary to build the system.
• Support integration, alignment, and test (I&T) activities, including environmental testing and troubleshooting
• Lead a team of other designers, analysts, and engineering professionals, developing the technical direction and providing guidance and mentorship.
• Provide input to project schedules and budget, ensuring timely completion and high-quality outcomes.

Skills

SolidWorks

Optomechanical systems

Tolerance analysis

Alignment techniques

Leadership

DFM principles

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

ANSYS

Nastran

Job description

Job Title: Lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Job Category: Engineering

Time Type: Full time

Minimum Clearance Required to Start: None

Employee Type: Regular

Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%

Type of Travel: Continental US

* * *

CACI is looking for a Lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer to join our Photonics team-- we are expanding! Our laser communications technology is helping NASA provide high-definition video from the International Space Station, and to explore asteroids 250 million miles away. Our other optical technology can also help scientists discover biohazards; support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and protect soldiers from explosive devices. Do you have a passion for innovation?

More About the Role:

You will assist with the packaging and integration of optical systems based around telescopes, gimbals, custom and COTS PCBs, passive, active, and free space components, and their supporting hardware. These systems are frequently integrated onto a variety of host platforms including satellites and aircraft, which requires design, analysis, simulation, and field measurements to ensure peak performance.

The Opportunity:

• Under limited direction design the packaging for complex subsystems with optical, photonic, optoelectronic, electrical, and mechanical elements for R&D and production programs for U.S. government customers.
• Own mechanical designs from concept through flight qualification, including requirements definition, trade studies, and detailed design.
• Collaborate with optical engineers to translate optical prescriptions into robust mechanical designs.
• Design optical mounts and systems for launch loads, vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and vacuum environments.
• Collaborate with and manage 3rd party vendors to resolve specification, performance, and reliability issues to realize the commercial and custom parts necessary to build the system.
• Support integration, alignment, and test (I&T) activities, including environmental testing and troubleshooting
• Lead a team of other designers, analysts, and engineering professionals, developing the technical direction and providing guidance and mentorship.
• Provide input to project schedules and budget, ensuring timely completion and high-quality outcomes.

Qualifications:

Required:

• BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of 10 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience.
• Proficient use of computer-aided design software, with SolidWorks preferred.
• Experience working with optomechanical systems, precision structures, or high-stability mechanical assemblies.
• Strong understanding of optical mounts, materials, tolerancing, and alignment techniques.
• Takes full ownership of assigned projects, and exhibits strong leadership skills by guiding and mentoring team members to achieve project goals.
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM), with experience applying these principles to improve product quality and manufacturability.
• Must be a US Citizen.

Desired:

• Demonstrated expertise in the design of complex subsystems with optical, photonic, optoelectronic, electrical, and mechanical elements.
• Involvement with gimbal systems or other precision motion control mechanisms, including design, integration, and optimization for applications in optical systems or robotics.
• Familiarity with material behavior in space environments, such as CTE matching, thermal gradients, and outgassing considerations.
• Proven experience conducting static, modal, thermal, nonlinear, or dynamic simulations using FEA solvers (Ansys or Nastran), or collaborating with analysts to ensure adequate margin and performance.
• Experience in optical and electronic subassembly layout including board physical design, chassis or enclosure design, optical fiber routing, and electrical and optical connector selection.
• Experience in creating or contributing to project schedules, estimating effort, and managing labor budgets.
• Master’s degree preferred

What You Can Expect:

A culture of integrity.

At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation.

An environment of trust.

CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.

A focus on continuous growth.

Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy.

Pay Range :

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

The proposed salary range for this position is:
$120,800 - $265,800

CACI is anEqualOpportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any otherprotectedcharacteristic.