Optical Systems Engineer - FREEPORT, PA

The Pennsylvania State University; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 266,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University invites applications for an Optical Systems Engineer in the Electro‑Optics and Electronics Division, located in Freeport, PA. You will work on imaging and EO projects with a multidisciplinary team, developing advanced sensors, lasers, and EO technologies for national security programs.

Responsibilities include designing complex optical systems, performing rigorous analyses, and leading collaborations across engineering disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science; extensive relevant experience may be considered in lieu of degree
• Experience in optical design and analysis software (e.g., Zemax, CODE V) for imaging systems
• Knowledge of coatings, optics fabrication, alignment methods, and imaging sensors

Responsibilities

• Design and tolerance optical lens systems to meet performance requirements
• Perform analysis to validate performance metrics (MTF, distortion, vignetting, stray light)
• Collaborate on opto‑mechanical designs and imaging sensors with multidisciplinary team
• Support field testing of imaging systems and contribute to proposals and reports

Skills

Optical design

Systems engineering

Optical alignment

Imaging sensors

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

Zemax

CODE V

TracePro

FRED

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Python

OpenCV

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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 include:

• 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 include:

• 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

Your working location will be full onsite located in Freeport, PA.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

If filled as R&D Engineer - Optical and Photonic Systems (ARL) - Principal Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 19+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None

If filled as R&D Engineer - Optical and Photonic Systems (ARL) - Senior Professional, this position requires: Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science 14+ years of relevant experience Required Certifications: None

For further information on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $140,004.00 - $265,704.00.

• Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure
• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full‑time employees designed to support both personal and professional well‑being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans.
• Substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.
• For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. 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.

Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

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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