Senior Optical Scientist

ARA; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Optical Scientist to join a multidisciplinary team researching laser bioeffects and laser eye protection in a laboratory setting in San Antonio, TX.

The role involves experimental optics, spectroscopy, imaging, and advanced instrumentation development to support DoD research objectives. The successful candidate will work with physicists, engineers, biologists, and government researchers, leading experiments, analyzing data, and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Optical Science, Physics, Photonics or closely related field.
• Minimum 6 years of laser/optical lab research experience.
• Experience designing and executing laboratory experiments involving lasers and optical systems.
• Strong grounding in optical physics and measurement techniques.
• US citizenship and active SECRET clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced optical experiments and laboratory instrumentation.
• Develop experimental optical configurations for measuring laser propagation and beam characteristics.
• Integrate fiber-optic systems, fluorescence imaging, detectors, and microscopy configurations.
• Apply linear and nonlinear optics to characterize interactions with materials and tissues.
• Develop optical diagnostic techniques using spectroscopy, interferometry, imaging, and related methods.
• Support experimental systems for optical bioeffects on biological samples and tissues.
• Collaborate with biologists to integrate optical instrumentation with biological experiments.
• Develop models and simulations of optical bioeffects.
• Create automated measurement and data acquisition systems.
• Analyze results and communicate findings in reports and publications.
• Identify emerging optical technologies to enhance research capabilities.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff.

Skills

Laser physics

Experimental optics

Biomedical optics

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

Master's degree in Optical Science/Physics/Photonics/EE/Biomedical Optics

Tools

MATLAB

Python

LabVIEW

Job description

The Missions, Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking a Senior Optical Scientist to join a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists researching laser biological effects and laser eye protection solutions in a laboratory setting. This position will support advanced experimental research investigating the interactions of laser and optical radiation with biological tissues, including potential effects on human physiology, vision, and tissue integrity. The successful candidate will apply expertise in optical physics, photonics, laser systems, and experimental instrumentation to develop and execute sophisticated laboratory experiments.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in experimental optics and photonics, with experience in laser characterization, nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, optical imaging, or biomedical optics. The candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of physicists, engineers, biologists, biomedical scientists, and government researchers to develop innovative experimental capabilities and generate high-quality scientific data supporting Department of Defense research objectives. Most of the work will take place onsite in US Government-provided laboratory space in San Antonio, TX.

This position is contingent upon ARA securing a contract, customer acceptance of the candidate’s resume, funding of the senior optical scientist position, security clearance, and successful background check. The Air Force has announced that it expects to make an award in November of 2026.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced optical experiments and laboratory instrumentation in support of laser bioeffects and human effects research.
• Develop experimental optical configurations for measuring laser propagation, beam characteristics, spectral content, energy distribution, and optical interactions with biological materials.
• Design and integrate custom optical instrumentation, including fiber-optic systems, fluorescence imaging systems, optical detectors, and specialized microscopy configurations.
• Apply principles of linear and nonlinear optics to understand and characterize optical radiation interactions with different materials and biological tissues.
• Develop and implement optical diagnostic techniques using spectroscopy, interferometry, fluorescence, imaging, and other advanced measurement approaches.
• Support the development of experimental systems for investigating optical radiation effects on biological samples, tissues, and cellular structures.
• Collaborate with biologists and biomedical researchers to integrate optical instrumentation with biological experiments and tissue characterization techniques.
• Support the development of models and simulations of optical bioeffects.
• Develop automated experimental measurement and data acquisition systems using appropriate hardware and software platforms.
• Analyze experimental results, develop scientific interpretations, and communicate findings through technical reports, scientific publications, and presentations.
• Identify emerging optical technologies and experimental approaches that can improve research capabilities and advance program objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior scientists, engineers, and laboratory personnel.
• Maintain compliance with laboratory safety requirements, including applicable laser safety standards and research protocols.
• Collaborate with government, FFRDC, academic, and industry partners.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers, scientists, and contractors.

Key Skills And Competencies

• Laser Physics and Photonics
  • Strong understanding of laser physics, optical propagation, and laser-material interactions.
  • Experience with ultrafast lasers, femtosecond and picosecond pulse systems, or tunable laser sources.
  • Knowledge of nonlinear optical phenomena, including self-focusing, filamentation, supercontinuum generation, harmonic generation, and nonlinear absorption.
  • Understanding of optical properties of materials, including refractive index, absorption, scattering, and fluorescence.
• Optical Instrumentation and Experimental Design
  • Demonstrated ability to design, build, integrate, and troubleshoot sophisticated optical laboratory experiments.
  • Experience with optical alignment, beam characterization, beam profiling, and optical metrology.
  • Familiarity with fiber optics, fiber bundles, optical detectors, photodetectors, and custom optical assemblies.
  • Experience developing specialized optical measurement systems and experimental instrumentation.
• Biomedical Optics and Imaging
  • Experience with fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, fiber-optic imaging, or other advanced optical imaging techniques.
  • Understanding of optical interactions with biological materials and the application of optical measurement techniques to biological research.
  • Familiarity with spectroscopy, fluorescence detection, and quantitative optical imaging.
  • Ability to collaborate with biological scientists to develop optical measurement approaches for characterizing cellular and tissue responses.
• Data Analysis and Computational Tools
  • Experience using MATLAB, Python, LabVIEW, or similar tools for experimental automation, data acquisition, and analysis.
  • Ability to process and interpret complex optical measurements, spectral data, and imaging datasets.
  • Experience with optical modeling and simulation software is desirable.
• Research Leadership and Communication
  • Ability to independently develop experimental concepts and translate them into practical laboratory capabilities.
  • Strong scientific writing, technical presentation, and research documentation skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with government researchers, technical stakeholders, and multidisciplinary scientific teams.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Optical Science, Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Optics, or a closely related technical discipline;
• Minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in laser and optical laboratory research.
• Demonstrated experience designing and executing laboratory experiments involving lasers, optical instrumentation, or advanced photonic systems.
• Strong understanding of optical physics and the practical application of optical measurement techniques.
• Experience developing, integrating, and troubleshooting experimental optical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to independently conduct research, analyze experimental data, and communicate scientific findings.
• Must be a US citizen.
• Active / current SECRET clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Optical Science, Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Optics, or a closely related technical discipline
• Research experience involving laser interactions with biological materials or other complex media.
• Experience designing or developing custom optical imaging systems, fluorescence microscopy systems, or fiber-optic imaging instrumentation.
• Experience with biomedical optics, cellular imaging, or optical diagnostics of biological responses.
• Familiarity with laser safety standards, including ANSI Z136.1, and optical radiation exposure assessment.
• Experience supporting AFRL, DoD, or other federally sponsored research programs.
• Record of peer-reviewed scientific publications, technical presentations, or contributions to advanced experimental research.
• Existing TS or TS/SCI clearance

Company Information

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 2200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, opportunities, and freedom to grow and pursue work that they are passionate about. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, "Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit" sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.