Senior Cryogenic Detector Test Engineer

Columbus Technologies and Services, Inc.; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbus Technologies & Services at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center seeks a talented Senior Detector/Instrument Engineer to advance our cutting-edge technology for internal projects. The successful candidate will conduct activities associated with the electro-optical testing and characterization of near-infrared (NIR) and visible detector technologies.

The role requires 5+ years in low-temperature detector testing, expertise in electro-optical test equipment, and strong collaboration across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field; MS or PhD preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of hands-on low-temperature or Near-IR detector testing experience.
• Experience designing, building, and operating electro-optical test equipment for NIR/Visible detectors.
• Experience with cryogenic/high-vacuum equipment reaching 40K–80K.
• Proficiency with lab electronics to debug test setups.
• Ability to write Python, LabVIEW, or C/C++ to automate tests.
• Data analysis using NumPy/SciPy/MATLAB for data reduction and fitting.
• Strong technical writing for test plans and SOPs.
• Excellent communication to work in interdisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and instrument cryogenic test systems for Near-IR and Visible detectors.
• Operate and maintain low-temperature detector test facilities and ensure safe data collection.
• Develop automated test scripts for data acquisition, temperature control, and vacuum management.
• Troubleshoot complex test system issues and implement robust solutions.
• Document test procedures, SOPs, and results per project standards.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, optical, and software engineers in test design.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the Detector Characterization Lab.

Skills

Detector testing

Low-temperature testing

NIR/Visible detector knowledge

Data analysis

Python/LabVIEW/C/C++

Lab electronics

Technical writing

Team collaboration

Cryogenic vacuum systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/ME/Physics

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Multimeters

Precision power supplies

Job description

Columbus Technologies & Services at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center seeks a talented Senior Detector/Instrument Engineer to advance our cutting-edge technology for internal projects. The successful candidate will conduct activities associated with the electro-optical testing and characterization of near-infrared (NIR) and visible detector technologies.

The role requires 5+ years in low-temperature detector testing, expertise in electro-optical test equipment, and strong collaboration across