Senior Optical Engineer — Telescopes & Spectrometers

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 186,000 - 227,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Wellbeing programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks an Optical Engineer to design, analyze, and test advanced optical instruments for planetary probes and remote sensing systems.

You will work within the Optics & Spectroscopy Section 364C, contributing to telescopes, cameras, and imaging spectrometers, and participating in trade studies and requirements development with a strong emphasis on hardware integration and measurement techniques.

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-art measurement techniques.
• Ability to apply for a clearance

Responsibilities

• The Optical Engineering Group designs and develops optical systems for planetary probes and instruments, earth observing remote sensing systems, and in situ sensing systems.
• You will contribute to the design and analysis of telescopes, cameras, and imaging spectrometers.
• You will participate in developing novel telescopes, spectrometers, and cameras, conduct detailed trade studies, develop requirements, and participate in large team studies.
• Engage in optical design trades and ensure alignment with project goals.

Skills

Optical design

Telescopes

Imaging spectrometers

Lenses

Communication

Hardware integration

Optical alignment

Measurement techniques

Clearance eligibility

Education

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

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

PhD in related field

Tools

CODE V ray tracing

Zemax ray tracing

CODE V macro language

ZPL

Python

MATLAB

Job description

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks an Optical Engineer to design, analyze, and test advanced optical instruments for planetary probes and remote sensing systems.

You will work within the Optics & Spectroscopy Section 364C, contributing to telescopes, cameras, and imaging spectrometers, and participating in trade studies and requirements development with a strong emphasis on hardware integration and measurement techniques.