Senior Optical Engineer: Telescopes & Imaging Spectrometers

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 185,952 - 226,720; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Wellness programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks an Optical Engineer to design telescopes, cameras and imaging spectrometers for planetary probes and remote sensing. You will perform optical design trades, detailed analysis, and contribute to performance budgets while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

Requires advanced optics degree and experience with CODE V or Zemax; familiarity with hardware integration and alignment; ability to present results and work on complex

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering with 9 years of related experience, or master’s degree with 7 years of related experience, or PhD with 5 years of related experience.
• Experience ray tracing in CODE V or Zemax.
• Extensive experience post-processing results from CODE V or Zemax using CODE V macro language, ZPL, Python, and/or Matlab.
• Knowledge of multiple technical subject areas with significant expertise in technology development, telescopes, imaging spectrometers, and lenses.
• Experience making optical error budgets
• Extensive understanding and wide application of sophisticated measurement principles, theories, concepts and techniques in definition, design, development and verification of complex technologies
• Extensive knowledge of industry and/or academic practices and standards across a range of applications related to instrument technology innovations.
• Demonstrated ability in written and verbal communication including presenting science, engineering and project results to large audiences
• Demonstrated ability to interact cooperatively with multiple levels of JPL management and the technical and business workforce.
• Experience developing hardware from a concept through use.
• Practical advanced knowledge in hardware integration, optical alignment, state-of-the- advanced measurement techniques.
• Ability to apply for a clearance

Responsibilities

• Design and develop optical systems for planetary probes and instruments (telescopes, cameras, spectrometers).
• Conduct detailed optical trades, analysis, and trade studies; develop requirements; participate in large team studies.
• Develop and maintain performance budgets including fabrication and space-environment sources
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to advance optics technology for space missions

Skills

Ray tracing

Written and verbal communication

Team collaboration

Hardware integration

Strong problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

CODE V

Zemax

Python

MATLAB

Job description

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks an Optical Engineer to design telescopes, cameras and imaging spectrometers for planetary probes and remote sensing. You will perform optical design trades, detailed analysis, and contribute to performance budgets while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

Requires advanced optics degree and experience with CODE V or Zemax; familiarity with hardware integration and alignment; ability to present results and work on complex