Optical Systems Engineer – Imaging & EO Innovation

Applied Research Laboratory at the Penn State University; Freeport (PA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 266,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) in Freeport, PA, invites an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to join the Electro-Optics and Electronics Division. You will design and validate imaging and EO systems, lead multi-disciplinary projects, and collaborate across teams on sensors, lasers, and optics.

The role requires strong experience in optical design software, optics fabrication, and alignment methods, with opportunities to lead field tests and support government programs.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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
• 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

Skills

Optical design

Zemax

CODE V

TracePro

FRED

Optical alignment

Imaging sensors

LASER systems

SOLIDWORKS

LabVIEW

MATLAB

ImageJ

Python

OpenCV

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

LabVIEW

MATLAB

ImageJ

Python

OpenCV

SOLIDWORKS

Job description

Penn State Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) in Freeport, PA, invites an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to join the Electro-Optics and Electronics Division. You will design and validate imaging and EO systems, lead multi-disciplinary projects, and collaborate across teams on sensors, lasers, and optics.

The role requires strong experience in optical design software, optics fabrication, and alignment methods, with opportunities to lead field tests and support government programs.