Principal Optical-EOIR Engineer

The Photonics Group; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Photonics Group is seeking an accomplished optical engineer to lead advanced EOIR sensor design and integration efforts in a defense/aerospace context. You will coordinate lab activities, prototype assembly, and alignment, and you will validate performance against demanding requirements.

You will model sensor behavior across visible through LWIR bands, specify and evaluate components, and work with laser systems and beam steering methods to ensure robust solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in optical design and related fields.
• Defense or aerospace industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform DRI range analysis of EOIR systems.
• Maintain and utilize an optical laboratory including integrating spheres, collimators, optical alignment stations, and more.
• Build and align benchtop prototypes, conduct experiments, and validate performance against design requirements.

Education

Bachelor's degree in optical engineering

Job description

Responsibilities

• Perform DRI (detection, recognition, identification) range analysis of electro-optical/ infrared (EOIR) systems.
• Maintain and utilize an optical laboratory to support development, testing, and prototyping efforts, including equipment such as integrating spheres, collimators, optical alignment stations for centration and tip/tilt, and more.
• Build and align benchtop prototypes, conduct experiments, and validate performance against design requirements. Verify optical designs and test delivered optical assemblies to ensure compliance with specifications and requirements.
• Characterize performance of EOIR sensors, typically broadband focal plane array type visible, near infrared (NIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR), midwave infrared (MWIR) and longwave infrared (LWIR) sensors, but also others as needed.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering or related field15+ years of experience in optical design and related fields relevant to the position responsibilities, including strong prior experience working in the defense or aerospace industry
• Experience in laboratory environments including expertise with opto-mechanical assembly, alignment tools, optical bore sighting, laboratory testing
• Design experience incorporating HD visible sensors, SWIR, MWIR, LWIR sensors with optical assemblies (including fixed focus and zoom configurations) and into higher-level systems
• Experience modeling visible, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR sensor systems to predict system performance for detection, recognition and identification of objects
• Experience with laser designators, laser range finders, laser dazzlers, and other tactical laser systems, and methods of beam steering