Optical System Engineer and Lens Designer (Job ID:4540)

Valkyrie-Enterprises; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Valkyrie Enterprises in Huntsville, AL, and Redstone Arsenal, AL, seeks a senior Optical System Engineer & Lens Designer to lead complex refractive and reflective optical designs, opto-mechanical integration, and HWIL simulations for weapon system sensors.

The role requires extensive Zemax experience, CAD packaging skills, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to develop and test laser and optical assemblies across visible and infrared bands.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field plus 5–10+ years in optical design/engineering.
• Proven track record of designing, tolerancing, and analyzing complex optical systems.
• Extensive experience with Zemax OpticStudio for ray tracing, optimization and tolerancing.
• Experience with opto-mechanical packaging and CAD tools (SolidWorks/Inventor/Creo).
• Experience with visible and infrared wavelengths (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR) and coatings.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced optical engineering, lens design, opto-mechanical integration, testing, validation and analysis for scene projection and weapon system integration.
• Serve as optical SME and coordinate with optical and mechanical engineers.
• Perform end-to-end design of refractive and reflective optical systems using Zemax OpticStudio across VIS and IR wavelengths.
• Model, package, and analyze optical components, mounts, ensuring stability.
• Develop laser/optical solutions for testing seekers/sensors and conduct trade studies.

Skills

Optical design

Zemax OpticStudio

Opto-mechanical CAD

Python

MATLAB

HWIL simulation

Education

BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

Creo

Code V

OSLO

FRED

Job description

• Valkyrie Enterprises is seeking an Optical System Engineer & Lens Designer in Huntsville, AL and Redstone Arsenal, AL for weapon system sensor/seeker simulation, testing, and evaluation, development, planning and analysis, which may include:
  • Refractive and reflective optical system requirements, design, tolerancing, development, and analysis.
  • Integration of custom-designed visible and infrared lens systems with scene projectors and seeker/sensor hardware.
  • Laser and infrared radiometry, optical performance characterization, and testing of electro-optical cameras and sources.
• The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in lens design (Zemax OpticStudio), opto-mechanical CAD modeling, multi-spectral optical system analysis, sensors/seeker testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation.
• The successful candidate will play a critical role in expanding our technology solutions to customers and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction.
• Development support activities will include the optical design, mechanical packaging, assembly, alignment, and testing of complex refractive and reflective optical systems, illumination systems, and laser systems. Operational support activities will include configuration, radiometric calibration, and operation of specialized equipment in support of the testing of missile sensors/seekers and other electro-optical sensors across visible and infrared wavebands.

Job Description:

• Provide advanced optical engineering, lens design, opto-mechanical integration, testing, verification, and analysis expertise for scene projection and weapon system integration and test activities.
• Serve as an optical engineering and lens design subject matter expert (SME) and coordinate with other optical and mechanical hardware engineers.
• Perform end-to-end design of refractive and reflective optical systems (including lens, mirror, and prism design) utilizing Zemax OpticStudio, spanning visible and infrared (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR) wavelengths.
• Utilize opto-mechanical CAD software to model, package, and analyze optical components, mounts, and systems, ensuring structural and thermal stability.
• Develop custom laser and optical solutions for testing seekers/sensors, managing optical trade studies, tolerancing, and stray light analysis.
• Support hands-on laboratory activities including the assembly, alignment, and optical testing (e.g., interferometry, MTF measurement, wavefront analysis) of developed systems.
• Perform configuration, radiometric calibration, and operation of specialized HWIL equipment in support of missile sensors/seekers and other electro-optical sensors.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge to resolve complex opto-mechanical and optical performance anomalies.
• Collaborate continuously with cross-functional engineering teams, providing mentorship to junior optical engineers and physicists.
• Support the preparation of regular program status reports, technical design reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR), and presentations for senior leadership and government customers.
• Identify and mitigate optical program risks while developing robust technical contingency plans.

Qualifications:

• Must have a BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical area and at least 5–10+ years of related experience in optical design and engineering (mid-to-senior level).
• Must have experience with a BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical area.
• Must have proven track record of designing, tolerancing, and analyzing complex refractive and reflective optical systems and elements.
• Must have extensive experience with optical design software, specificallyZemax OpticStudio, for ray tracing, optimization, and tolerancing.
• Must have extensive experience with opto-mechanical packaging and CAD design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or equivalent) to bridge the gap between optical design and mechanical implementation.
• Must have demonstrated experience working with both visible and infrared (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR) wavelengths, including material selection, coatings, and thermal effects.
• Must have higher-level language programming skills (Matlab, Python, or equivalent) for data analysis, optical test automation, and design visualization.
• Must have a passion for solving complex optical and physical problems and providing workable hardware solutions.
• Must have a strong analytical and reasoning skills with the ability to visualize complex 3D optical/laser systems.
• Must have excellent all-around communication skills with a proven ability to work individually and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Must be self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
• Must have customer service orientation experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related degree, preferred.
• Deep experience in stray light analysis (using Zemax, FRED, ASAP, or equivalent) and environmental/thermal analysis of optical systems, preferred.
• Extensive experience with HWIL simulation equipment, such as Laser and/or Electro-optical Infrared (EOIR) Scene Projectors, collimators, blackbody sources, sensors, and target generators, preferred.
• Experience in secondary optical design platforms like Code V or OSLO, preferred.
• Experience with Department of Defense (DoD) programs and military standards (MIL-SPEC) for optical component fabrication and testing, preferred.

Security Requirements

• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Travel Requirements

• None to occasional travel; 10-25% or less.
• If position requires travel by domestic flight or access to secure federal facilities/military bases, candidate must be able to obtain (by start of position) and maintain appropriate identification credentials, such as REAL ID. (More information regarding REAL ID can be found at REAL ID ).

Physical Requirements

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Able to sit and work on a computer for long periods of time.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Light work that includes moving objects up to 25 pounds.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Any offer of employment with Valkyrie Enterprises is contingent upon the successful completion of all applicable pre-employment requirements. Depending on the position, these may include a criminal background investigation, employment and education verification, pre-employment drug screening, driving record review, security clearance eligibility, government installation access, and any other customer or contract-specific requirements. Failure to successfully meet any required pre-employment condition may result in the withdrawal of the contingent offer of employment.

Valkyrie strictly adheres to a policy of equal employment opportunity. This policy is based on Valkyrie’s commitment to hire and retain qualified employees consistent with position requirements; and to seek, employ, promote and treat all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental disability, age, military status or protected veteran status, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition, genetic information or sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.

Additionally, Valkyrie Enterprises provides a variety of benefits to eligible employees to support your best health, wellness, and future, to include medical/dental/vision options, company paid life and disability insurances, 401k with match, education reimbursement, as well as company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO).