Optical Systems Engineer – Imaging & EO Leadership

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

Job summary

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University, located in Freeport, PA, seeks an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to advance imaging and EO programs. You will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to design, analyze, and field optical systems for defense and national security applications.

Responsibilities include leading complex optical designs, validating performance, and collaborating on opto-mechanical integration, sensors, and field testing.

Qualifications

• Proficient in optics design for imaging applications including infrared.
• Experience with optical design and analysis software (Zemax, CODE V, Trace Pro, FRED).
• Knowledge of coating/fabrication techniques and optics assembly/alignment methods.

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 team on opto-mechanical designs, imaging sensors, alignment, image processing, prototyping, test 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 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 test events.
• Trusted Agent role to assess and validate state-of-the-art EO systems.

Skills

Optical design

Zemax

Trace Pro

Coatings

Opto-mechanical

Imaging sensors

LabVIEW

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Science

Tools

Zemax

CODE V

Trace Pro

FRED

Job description

The Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University, located in Freeport, PA, seeks an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to advance imaging and EO programs. You will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to design, analyze, and field optical systems for defense and national security applications.

Responsibilities include leading complex optical designs, validating performance, and collaborating on opto-mechanical integration, sensors, and field testing.