Research Scientist

Intellisense Systems, Inc.; Torrance, Northern (CA, KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 4 weeks

Holidays 10

401k match

Medical, Vision, Dental

Health Savings Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts

Tuition assistance

Employee EAP

Life/AD&D

Workers' compensation

Voluntary life

Job summary

Intellisense Systems, Inc. in Southern California is seeking a Research Scientist to lead technical proposal development for SBIR, BAA, and government-funded opportunities.

You will translate deep technical concepts in electro-optical and sensor systems into compelling, compliant proposals and collaborate with scientists and engineers to craft winning submissions. The role emphasizes technical writing, proposal strategy, and potential hands-on concept development within a fast-paced environment

Qualifications

• PhD in Applied Physics, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Physics, Optics, or related field preferred.
• Masters with extensive track record (5+ years) of writing and winning competitive grants/SBIR awards.
• Proven track record of writing successful technical proposals for SBIR/BAA or similar programs.
• Strong technical writing skills to translate complex opto-electronic concepts into clear narratives.
• 3+ years of direct system development/implementation in opto-electronic technologies.
• Working knowledge of system design, test, evaluation, and analysis in opto-electronics.
• Ability to manage multiple proposal efforts against firm government deadlines.
• US citizenship is required for SBIR and related programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of technical volumes for SBIR, BAA, and other government proposals.
• Capture technical content with researchers to create persuasive narratives.
• Ensure proposal compliance with solicitation instructions and data rights.
• Contribute to concept/architecture designs and perform modeling, prototyping, testing.
• Track solicitation calendars and identify opportunities aligned with capabilities.
• Apply electrical/optical design and modeling tools to proposed solutions.
• Support post-award transition by translating approaches into execution plans.
• Duties may evolve with organizational needs.

Skills

Proposal development

Technical writing

SBIR/BAA experience

Systems thinking

Education

PhD in Applied Physics or Electrical Engineering

MS with 5+ years grant-writing

Tools

Modeling & simulation tools

Job description

Intellisense Systems, Inc. is a privately held, Southern California-based technology innovator with a proven track record of developing and deploying innovative products that successfully operate in the most extreme environments. We solve tough, mission-critical challenges for our customers in the aerospace, defense, and commercial markets, delivering the full data continuum from sensing and embedded processing to video integration, displays, and data/video recording and storage for airborne and ground vehicle platforms. Our portfolio also includes environmental and maritime sensing and smart power management systems, engineered to the highest levels of safety certification and built with embedded cybersecurity and advanced encryption capabilities.

We are looking for an exceptional Research Scientist to lead technical proposal development for SBIR, BAA, and other government-funded research opportunities. Intellisense’s Tactical Systems team works on cutting-edge sensor research involving innovative design, selection, and implementation of emerging components, as well as system integration, testing, and troubleshooting. We innovate to achieve what seems impossible.

This role is primarily a technical writing and proposal development position: you will translate deep technical concepts in electro-optical and sensor systems into compelling, compliant, and fundable proposals. You will work closely with research scientists and engineers to shape novel technical approaches into winning submissions, and you may also contribute hands‑on to concept development and prototyping as bandwidth allows.

Location: Torrance, CA (Onsite)

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of technical volumes for SBIR, BAA, and other competitive government proposals — including technical approach, innovation/technical merit sections, work plans, and past-performance narratives.
• Partner with research scientists, engineers, and program managers to capture technical content and translate it into clear, persuasive proposal narrative aligned to solicitation requirements and evaluation criteria.
• Ensure proposal compliance with solicitation instructions (e.g., Sections L/M, page limits, formatting requirements) and coordinate with contracts/PM staff on cost volume alignment and data rights assertions (e.g., DFARS 252.227-7018/7017).
• Contribute to the development of new concept/architecture designs related to sensing and processing components and systems, including simulation and modeling, prototyping, and testing, in support of proposal technical approaches.
• Track solicitation calendars (Army, Navy, Air Force, DIU, and other DoD/federal sources) and help identify and shape opportunities that align with company capabilities.
• Apply experience in electrical/optical design and modeling/simulation tools to accurately represent proposed technical solutions.
• Support post-award transition by helping translate proposal technical approaches into program execution plans.
• Job responsibilities within our organization are dynamic. This may not be a complete list of duties. Other responsibilities and duties may be assigned by your supervisor or upper management at any time.

Requirements

• PhD in Applied Physics, Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related field preferred.
• Candidates holding a Master’s degree will be considered with an extensive track record (5+ years) of writing and winning competitive grants or SBIR awards.
• Demonstrated track record of writing successful technical proposals for SBIR, BAA, or similar government-funded research programs — writing samples or a summary of past wins may be requested.
• Strong technical writing skills, with the ability to translate complex opto-electronic/sensor system concepts into clear, compelling, evaluator-friendly narrative.
• 3+ years of direct experience in system development and implementation in opto-electronic or related technologies.
• Working knowledge of system design, test, evaluation, and analysis in opto-electronic related technologies.
• Ability to manage multiple proposal efforts simultaneously against firm government deadlines.
• Ability to present technical concepts and proposal strategy to senior management and government customers in clear, succinct form.
• US citizenship is required, consistent with eligibility requirements for SBIR and other government-funded programs.

Nice to Haves

• Experience with DFARS/FAR clauses relevant to government contracting, including data rights assertions (DFARS 252.227-7018, 252.227-7017).
• Familiarity with military standard requirements and protocols (e.g., MIL-STD compliance).
• Experience with meteorological sensors, visible/IR imaging and sensing, or related military systems and devices.
• Hands‑on experience designing experiments, assembling test setups, and analyzing results against theoretical predictions.
• Understanding of or training in laser safety and test standards.

What You Could Expect

• The freedom to take risks, to innovate, and to be rewarded.
• Partnership with trusting leadership that approaches tasks and requests with urgency.
• The opportunity to shape proposals for products that are continually recognized as industry disruptors.

Pay Range:

$120,000 - $165,000 (However, base salary for this position will vary based on your skills, qualifications, and experience)

Benefits:

• 4 Weeks PTO a year (including 40 hours of PTO on your first day)
• 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) with 100% employer matching up to 4% of salary (no vesting period)
• Multiple options for Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance plans
• Health Savings Accounts
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition Assistance (30% of Tuition with a minimum qualifying grade)
• 100% Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 100% Paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• 100% Paid Workers Compensation Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance

The unique culture at Intellisense offers the entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller company with the support and expertise of a larger organization. We are looking for individuals that have a wide breadth of experience while also being subject matter experts in their respective field.

Unless otherwise stated in the requirements section of an individual job listing, our positions require U.S. Citizenship, U.S. Permanent Residency, or other status as a U.S. Person as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3). Intellisense Systems, Inc is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, or other legally protected status.