Scientist VI

General Atomics; Acton (MA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 228,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) seeks an experienced Lead Scientist, Optical Systems to lead the development, integration, test, and operation of advanced EO/IR space payloads and imaging systems. You will guide the optical systems engineering lifecycle from concept through on-orbit operations.

The role emphasizes optical metrology, alignment, calibration and data analysis, collaborating with optical designers, systems engineers, scientists and program leadership to mature

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in a scientific or related technical field with extensive experience (12+ years with a Bachelor's, 10+ with a Master’s, or 7+ with a PhD).
• Extensive technical expertise in optical systems, EO/IR instruments, imaging systems, or related disciplines.
• Experience leading design, analysis, integration, alignment, calibration, testing, and operation of complex optical systems.
• Experience developing optical test methods, equipment and support hardware.
• Experience with optical data processing, modeling, simulation, and engineering analysis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead optical systems engineering activities for EO/IR payloads and imaging instruments.
• Develop optical architectures, concepts of operation, requirements, and trade studies.
• Perform analyses related to radiometry, image quality, wavefront error, focus, and system sensitivity.
• Lead optical alignment, calibration, metrology, integration and verification activities.
• Develop test methods, procedures, fixtures and ground support equipment.
• Plan and support assembly, environmental testing, calibration and verification of optical payloads.

Skills

Optical systems

EO/IR instruments

Leadership

Metrology

Test methods

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Zemax

Code V

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in a scientific or related technical field

Twelve+ years with Bachelor's

Ten+ years with Master's

Seven+ years with PhD

Tools

Code V

Zemax

SigFit

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Job description

58134BR

Job Summary:

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) designs and manufactures first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS' expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions support critical fleet, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and process and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) is seeking an experienced Lead Scientist, Optical Systems to support the development, integration, test, and operation of advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) space payloads and imaging systems. The Optical Scientist will provide technical leadership throughout the payload development lifecycle, from concept development and requirements definition through optical analysis, hardware integration, alignment, calibration, environmental testing, verification, production support, and on-orbit operations.

This role emphasizes optical systems engineering, metrology, alignment, calibration, image-quality assessment, test development, and engineering data analysis. The successful candidate will work with optical designers, systems engineers, scientists, technicians, and program leadership to develop and mature complex optical instruments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead optical systems engineering activities for EO/IR payloads and imaging instruments.
• Develop optical architectures, concepts of operation, requirements, trade studies, and technical approaches.
• Perform analyses related to radiometry, image quality, wavefront error, focus, boresight, pointing, jitter, stray light, and system sensitivity.
• Lead optical alignment, calibration, metrology, integration, and performance verification activities.
• Develop test methods, procedures, fixtures, equipment, and optical ground support equipment.
• Plan and support assembly, integration, environmental testing, calibration, and verification of optical payloads.
• Process and analyze test data using computational models, simulations, and engineering software.
• Develop measurement uncertainty budgets and evaluate measurement repeatability and system accuracy.
• Lead anomaly investigations and root-cause analyses involving optical performance and test results.
• Provide technical direction and guidance to engineers, technicians, and other professional staff.
• Review technical work and represent the organization in discussions with customers, suppliers, government representatives, and internal leadership.
• Support proposal development and the pursuit of new or expanded business opportunities.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Qualifications:

• Typically requires a Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD in a scientific or related technical field and progressively complex scientific experience as follows; twelve or more years experience with a Bachelors degree, ten or more years experience with a Masters degree, and seven or more with a PhD. Equivalent scientific experience may be substituted in lieu of education
• Extensive technical expertise in optical systems, EO/IR instruments, imaging systems, or related scientific disciplines.
• Experience leading the design, analysis, integration, alignment, calibration, testing, and operation of complex optical systems.
• Experience developing optical test methods, procedures, equipment, and support hardware.
• Experience with optical data processing, modeling, simulation, and engineering analysis.
• Experience translating system-level requirements into subsystem, performance, calibration, and verification requirements.
• Ability to coordinate technical activities, meet program milestones, communicate effectively, and provide leadership to less experienced personnel.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Spaceflight experience with optical payloads, telescopes, observatories, or complex imaging instruments.
• Experience with visible through long-wave infrared systems.
• Strong background in optical systems engineering rather than primarily lens design, including system-level performance assessment and requirements flowdown.
• Hands-on experience with assembly, integration, alignment, calibration, and test of optical instruments.
• Experience in optical metrology, interferometry, wavefront measurement, image-quality testing, and measurement uncertainty.
• Experience developing calibration approaches, test methods, procedures, optical ground support equipment, and laboratory capabilities.
• Experience with optical and imaging data processing, engineering modeling, simulation, and automated analysis.
• Experience with radiometric, geometric, spectral, or image-quality calibration.
• Experience with thermal-vacuum or cryogenic optical testing.
• Experience with pointing, jitter, boresight, focus, line-of-sight performance, or STOP analysis.
• Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar programming languages.
• Experience with Code V, Zemax, SigFit, or equivalent optical analysis tools.
• Experience with precision metrology equipment, including interferometers, coordinate measuring machines, or laser trackers.
• Experience mentoring engineers and technicians and transferring specialized technical methods to broader teams.
• Published technical work, invited presentations, or participation in scientific and technical review panels.

Job Category:

Scientists

Experience Level:

Senior (8+ years)

Workstyle:

Onsite

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full-Time Salary

Pay Range Low:

130,500

Pay Range High:

228,375

Travel Percentage Required:

0% - 25%

Relocation Assistance Provided?:

Yes

US Citizenship Required?:

Yes

Clearance Required?:

Yes

Clearance Level:

Secret

General Atomics is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. In accordance with applicable federal law, General Atomics takes affirmative action to employ and advance the employment of qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. U.S. Citizenship is required for certain positions. To learn more, please review the EEOC’s "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" poster.