Optical Systems Engineer - FREEPORT, PA

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University; Freeport (PA); On-site; USD 123,200 - 219,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Competitive retirement plans

Paid time off including a 75% tuition discount

Job summary

A leading research facility is seeking an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to join their team in Freeport, PA. The role involves designing and analyzing novel optical systems while collaborating with scientists and engineers. Successful candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Science, along with extensive experience in optical design and related tools. This full-time position offers a competitive salary range of $123,200 - $219,600 and a robust benefits package including tuition discounts. Candidates should be U.S. citizens eligible for security clearance.

Qualifications

• 14+ years of relevant experience for Senior Professional role.
• 19+ years of relevant experience for Principal Professional role.

Responsibilities

• Design complex optical systems from concept to deployment.
• Validate performance of optical systems analysis.
• Contribute proposals, reports, and presentations.

Skills

Optical design for imaging applications

Experience with optical design software

Knowledge of optics fabrication techniques

Optical assembly methods

Knowledge of imaging sensors

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

Zemax

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Job description

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are seeking an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to join our Electro-Optics and Electronics Division, located in Freeport, PA. This position will support our imaging and other electro-optical system development programs where you will work with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers performing a wide range of applied research and development projects involving sensors, lasers, and electro-optical (EO) technology. The mission of the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) is to develop innovative solutions to challenging national problems in support of Navy, Department of Defense (DoD), and Intelligence Community research, engineering and technology needs. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Note: Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

YOU WILL:

• Be responsible for novel and complex optical designs from concept through deployment
• Design and tolerance optical lens systems to meet performance requirements
• Perform analysis to validate performance of optical systems – stray light, thermal, MTF, distortion, vignetting, etc.
• Collaborate with other team members on: opto-mechanical designs, athermalization, imaging sensors, alignment, image processing, prototyping, test, analysis, and evaluation.
• Support field-testing of imaging systems
• Contribute to proposals, reports, and presentations

Additional responsibilities of the higher-level include:

• Perform systems engineering, project planning, budgeting, and scheduling
• Lead other engineers in day-to-day tasking to satisfy stakeholder’s requirements and expectations
• Provide technical leadership within the department for imaging and EO programs and initiatives
• Independently manage multiple and/or large electro-optic projects
• Develop and propose solutions for new applications
• Plan, organize, and lead field tests events
• Perform the role of Trusted Agent to the government to assess and validate state-of-the art EO systems and solutions from the Defense Industrial Base

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Proficient in design of optics for imaging applications including infrared
• Substantial experience with optical design and analysis software (Zemax, CODE V, Trace Pro, FRED, etc.)
• Knowledge of current coating and optics fabrication techniques and limitations
• Strong knowledge of optical assembly and alignment methods
• Good working knowledge of physics, electro-mechanical devices and imaging sensors

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Design, analysis, and test of complete imaging systems
• Knowledge of various focal plane arrays types, imaging sensors, camera specifications, and video interfaces
• Real-time image processing
• Radiometry (analysis and laboratory measurements), development of link budgets, prediction of sensor response, and image quality metrics
• Microcontroller programming
• Software tools for instrument control, data analysis, and image processing (LabVIEW, MATLAB, ImageJ, Python, Open CV, etc.)
• Infrared systems design and performance test methods
• Developing and fielding optical systems for military applications
• Laser systems
• Specification and use of optical components such as dichroic filters, polarizers, beam splitters, lasers, fast steering mirrors, and shutters
• Lab instrumentation and tools such as oscilloscopes, integrating spheres, spectroradiometers, interferometers, light sources, motion stages
• Statistical analysis tools and methods to establish measurement uncertainty
• Opto-mechanical design techniques leveraging mechanical design tools such as SOLIDWORKS
• Specifying, using, and tuning motion control systems
• Sensors for the measurement of physical properties (IMUs, ultrasonic, proximity, photoelectric, temperature, etc.) and signal conditioning methods
• Designing to meet military or automotive environmental and reliability requirements
• LiDAR principals and devices
• Knowledge of machine vision algorithms and image processing techniques
• Security clearance preferred; current eligibility for access to classified information at the secret level or higher and maybe subject to government background investigation to upgrade clearance, eligibility if required

WORK LOCATION

Your working location will be full onsite located in Freeport, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science and 14+ years of relevant experience. Required Certifications: None.

If filled as Research and Development Engineer - Principal Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science and 19+ years of relevant experience. Required Certifications: None.

ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the DoD, and the Intelligence Community (IC).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

Your working location will be full onsite located in Freeport, PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $123,200.00 - $219,600.00. THE PROPOSED SALARY RANGE MAY BE IMPACTED BY GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENTIAL. Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy retirement plans and substantial paid time off including a 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible dependents. For more details, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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