SENIOR PHOTONICS ENGINEER

Bascom Hunter; O’Fallon (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Bascom Hunter seeks a Senior Photonics Engineer in O’Fallon, MO to lead photonic circuit and optical system design from concept to production. You will model, test, specify, and verify components, working with electrical and mechanical teams to deliver integrated, producible hardware for defense and aerospace customers.

The role requires a DoD-cleared, U.S. citizen engineer with 8+ years of hands-on photonics experience, strong optical physics knowledge, and leadership with clear communication

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain DoD security clearance.
• Master's or PhD in Photonics/Optics/EE/Physics.
• 8+ years designing, testing, and troubleshooting photonic/optical systems.
• Strong foundation in optical physics (propagation, polarization, interference, diffraction).
• Proficiency with optical simulation tools and laboratory instrumentation.
• Proven ability to lead technical projects and collaborate across disciplines.
• Clear written and verbal communication for customers and non‑specialists.

Responsibilities

• Photonic system design and development of devices, optical systems, laser systems, and optoelectronic components.
• Modeling and simulation to develop architectures and evaluate performance.
• Define optical requirements, specifications, performance budgets, and verification criteria.
• Select and evaluate photonic components, including light sources, detectors, fibers, waveguides, and coatings.
• Plan and execute characterization of optical components, subsystems, and integrated systems.
• Develop test methods, measurement procedures, and automated test setups.
• Analyze test data, identify root causes, and troubleshoot optical, thermal, mechanical, and integration issues.
• Work with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing staff to deliver integrated, producible products.
• Prepare specifications, test reports, procedures, and design review materials.

Skills

U.S. Citizenship

DoD security clearance

8+ years photonics/optical systems

Optical physics fundamentals

Optical simulation tools

Analytical problem solving

Technical leadership

Written and verbal communication

Education

Master's or PhD in Photonics/Optics/EE/Physics

Tools

Optical simulation tools

Laboratory instrumentation

Data analysis tools

Job description

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SENIOR PHOTONICS ENGINEER

Full Time Professional O'Fallon, MO, US

4 days ago Requisition ID: 1164

Photonics is changing what’s possible in defense systems, and at Bascom Hunter, you’ll help drive that change. As our Senior Photonics Engineer, you’ll lead the design and development of photonic circuits and optical systems for U.S. Department of Defense and aerospace customers, from the first simulation through lab characterization, integration, and production. This isn’t a role where you hand off one piece of the problem: you’ll set the requirements, choose the architecture, build and test the prototypes, and work side by side with our electrical and mechanical engineers to turn them into deliverable hardware. If you want your expertise to have a direct, visible impact on technology that supports national defense, this is the role. This position will be onsite in O’Fallon, MO

Responsibilities

• Photonic System Design and Development

Lead the design, analysis, and development of photonic devices, optical systems, laser systems, and optoelectronic components.

Perform optical modeling and simulation to develop system architectures and evaluate performance.

Define optical requirements, specifications, performance budgets, and verification criteria.

Select and evaluate photonic components, including light sources, detectors, fibers, waveguides, and coatings.

• Prototyping, Testing, and Characterization

Plan and execute characterization of optical components, subsystems, and integrated systems.

Develop test methods, measurement procedures, and automated test setups.

Analyze test data, identify root causes, and lead troubleshooting of optical, thermal, mechanical, and integration issues.

• Engineering Integration and Product Development

Work with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing staff to deliver integrated, producible products.

Ensure designs account for assembly, alignment, testability, and long‑term reliability.

Support supplier selection, component qualification, and transition to production.

Prepare specifications, test reports, procedures, and design review materials.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain or hold a DoD security clearance.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Photonics, Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience designing, testing, and troubleshooting photonic or optical systems.
• Strong foundation in optical physics, including propagation, polarization, interference, and diffraction.
• Proficiency with optical simulation tools, laboratory instrumentation, and quantitative data analysis.
• Proven ability to lead technical projects and solve multidisciplinary engineering problems.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including presenting technical work to customers and non‑specialists.

Why Bascom Hunter

• High-ownership technical role with direct influence on product architecture
• Opportunity to shape next-generation aerospace and defense systems
• Exposure to customers, proposal efforts, and strategic growth initiatives
• Competitive compensation and benefits

All positions at Bascom Hunter are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

Bascom Hunter is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote without regard to race, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability/veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.