Senior Electro-Optical Systems Engineer, Space Programs

Space Dynamics Laboratory; North Logan (UT); On-site; USD 126,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Space Dynamics Laboratory seeks an Experienced Electro-Optical Systems Engineer to lead design, modeling, integration, and calibration of visible and infrared payloads for military and civil space programs. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and brief Government sponsors throughout the program lifecycle.

Requirements include a physics/optical engineering/astronomy degree with substantial relevant experience, proficiency in Python or MATLAB, and the ability to obtain a security

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in physics, optical engineering, astronomy, or related discipline with 10+ years (BSc), 8+ years (MSc), or 4+ years (PhD) of relevant experience
• U.S. citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
• Advanced proficiency in Python or MATLAB for multidimensional arrays, image processing, and radiometric pipelines
• Mastery of visible and thermal infrared physics including Planck’s Law and detector noise characteristics
• Understanding of optical system behavior under space environment constraints (TVAC, radiation, jitter, outgassing)
• Experience owning technical aspects in core EO domains: optical architecture, stray light, alignment, or calibration
• Excellent written and verbal communication with leadership of cross-functional teams and ability to travel (<15%)

Responsibilities

• Leads the electro-optical payload subsystem across milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR)
• Prepares review packages, TPMs, and traceability artifacts; resolves action items
• Develops optical design methods, radiometric models, and trade studies for VIS/IR sensor performance
• Leads optical alignment, benchtop integration, ambient testing, and TVAC calibration campaigns
• Writes and runs automated data reduction pipelines in Python or MATLAB for sensor analysis
• Represents technical teams in customer briefings, TIMs, and progress reviews
• Provides mentorship and career development to junior engineers
• Leads proposal efforts, concept studies, and architecture trades for space programs
• Documents innovations via papers, conferences, and IRAD reports

Skills

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

System engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics/optical engineering/astronomy

Master’s degree in physics/optical engineering/astronomy

PhD in physics/optical engineering/astronomy

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Zemax OpticStudio

FRED

CODE V

OSLO

Job description

Space Dynamics Laboratory seeks an Experienced Electro-Optical Systems Engineer to lead design, modeling, integration, and calibration of visible and infrared payloads for military and civil space programs. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and brief Government sponsors throughout the program lifecycle.

Requirements include a physics/optical engineering/astronomy degree with substantial relevant experience, proficiency in Python or MATLAB, and the ability to obtain a security