Senior Optical Systems Scientist - EO/IR Payloads Lead

General Atomics; Acton (MA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 228,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) seeks an experienced Lead Scientist, Optical Systems to lead the development, integration, test, and operation of advanced EO/IR space payloads and imaging systems. You will guide the optical systems engineering lifecycle from concept through on-orbit operations.

The role emphasizes optical metrology, alignment, calibration and data analysis, collaborating with optical designers, systems engineers, scientists and program leadership to mature

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in a scientific or related technical field with extensive experience (12+ years with a Bachelor's, 10+ with a Master’s, or 7+ with a PhD).
• Extensive technical expertise in optical systems, EO/IR instruments, imaging systems, or related disciplines.
• Experience leading design, analysis, integration, alignment, calibration, testing, and operation of complex optical systems.
• Experience developing optical test methods, equipment and support hardware.
• Experience with optical data processing, modeling, simulation, and engineering analysis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead optical systems engineering activities for EO/IR payloads and imaging instruments.
• Develop optical architectures, concepts of operation, requirements, and trade studies.
• Perform analyses related to radiometry, image quality, wavefront error, focus, and system sensitivity.
• Lead optical alignment, calibration, metrology, integration and verification activities.
• Develop test methods, procedures, fixtures and ground support equipment.
• Plan and support assembly, environmental testing, calibration and verification of optical payloads.

Skills

Optical systems

EO/IR instruments

Leadership

Metrology

Test methods

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Zemax

Code V

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in a scientific or related technical field

Twelve+ years with Bachelor's

Ten+ years with Master's

Seven+ years with PhD

Tools

Code V

Zemax

SigFit

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Job description

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) seeks an experienced Lead Scientist, Optical Systems to lead the development, integration, test, and operation of advanced EO/IR space payloads and imaging systems. You will guide the optical systems engineering lifecycle from concept through on-orbit operations.

The role emphasizes optical metrology, alignment, calibration and data analysis, collaborating with optical designers, systems engineers, scientists and program leadership to mature