Optical Engineer, Senior

Booz Allen Hamilton; Dahlgren (VA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the U.S. Navy's direct energy initiatives. The role involves designing and testing advanced EO sensors for HEL systems, and the candidate is expected to have extensive experience in optical engineering and leadership skills. This position offers an opportunity to significantly impact defense capabilities while fostering the next generation of engineers.

Benefits

Health, life, and disability benefits

Paid leave

Professional development opportunities

Tuition assistance

Work-life programs

Qualifications

• Experience with the development and testing of HEL systems.
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
• 10+ years of experience with U.S. Navy laser and EO systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and test HEL EO sensor systems.
• Support the integration of optical systems into high energy laser weapon systems.
• Mentor junior optical engineering staff.

Skills

Optical system design

Image processing

Testing and data analysis

Engineering trade analysis

Optical test equipment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

FRED

Zemax

WaveTrain

MATLAB

Job description

Optical Engineer, Senior

The Opportunity:

What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U.S. Navy's directed energy portfolio? As an optical engineer, you understand the power behind complex systems.That knowledge is key when it comes to the support and testing of electro-optic (EO) sensors for integration into high energy laser (HEL) weapon systems. We’re looking for an optical engineer who can use their skills to support the development and testing of state-of-the-art EO sensors to enhance the capabilities of today's warfighter.

Our team supports the design, development, and testing of state-of-the-art directed energy weapons to enhance warfighter capabilities. That’s why we need you, an optical engineer who specializes in the development and testing of HEL EO sensors. You’ll directly impact the U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense entities by proving optical technical expertise. We’ll look to you to share your optical engineering expertise through leadership and mentoring junior staff. This is a chance to use your experience-based knowledge in laser EO sensors while broadening your skillset into areas like directed energy weapons systems. Join us and take on exciting challenges as we support the warfighter with state-of-the-art directed energy capabilities.

Join us. The world can't wait.

You Have:

• Experience with the development and testing of HEL systems
• Experience with optical system design and engineering trade analysis
• Experience with image processing for object tracking and detection, recognition, and identification
• Experience with optical test equipment, including power meters, photodiodes, detectors, interferometers, wavefront sensors, spectrometers, and beam profilers
• Experience working with design and analysis software, including FRED, Zemax, WaveTrain, or MATLAB
• Ability to perform imaging and single cell detector specification and characterization, radiometric prediction, testing, and data analysis for imaging applications
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance
• Bachelor's degree

Nice If You Have:

• 10+ years of experience working with U.S. Navy laser and EO systems
• 5+ years of experience with HEL systems, including fiber laser technology
• 5+ years of experience with ISR EO systems development, analysis, test and evaluation (T&E), and installation
• Experience with ultrashort pulse lasers (USPL) research, including propagation and material effects
• Experience with the integration of laser systems and major components of a laser system, including the optical train
• Experience with laser weapon systems, including gain media, pump sources, thermal management and control systems, opto-mechanics, optical coatings, substrates, characterization and specification, beam shaping, and beam control
• Experience analyzing the effectiveness of HEL interactions with materials and components, laser propagation theory, and experiments, including modeling and characterizations of laser performance in relevant military environments and ranges
• Experience with project management, and business and proposal development
• Knowledge of practical problems associated with the design, building, integration, and testing of laser weapon systems
• Master’s degree in an Engineering or Science field

Clearance:

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Compensation

At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $77,500.00 to $176,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen’s total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Identity Statement

As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Work Model
Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of flexibility and collaboration, whether that happens in person or remotely.

• If this position is listed as remote or hybrid, you’ll periodically work from a Booz Allen or client site facility.
• If this position is listed as onsite, you’ll work with colleagues and clients in person, as needed for the specific role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.