US Citizens only, Optic / Optics / Optical Engineers / Scientist needed

A New Beginning-Genesis 2; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

A New Beginning-Genesis 2 is seeking a Lead Optical Engineer to design, analyze, and validate advanced optical and electro-optical systems for aerospace and defense programs. You will lead stray light control, perform end-to-end system analyses, and coordinate across mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams to ensure mission success.

The role requires extensive experience in optical engineering, modeling, and testing, with a preference for candidates holding an active DoD

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus 9+ years in optical engineering; graduate degree with 7+ years also acceptable.
• Experience with stray light analysis and non-sequential modeling (FRED preferred).
• Active DoD clearance; US citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead Optical Engineer for design, analysis, and development of advanced optical and EO systems for aerospace and defense.
• Perform stray light analysis and control; model performance and non-sequential evaluation for mission-critical systems.
• Support imaging payloads where stray light, radiometric accuracy, and optical performance drive success; work with cross-functional teams from concept to test.
• Mature payload architectures, evaluate optical trades, and assess end-to-end system performance in space environments.
• Lead or support activities for imaging/sensing and EO/IR systems; guide verification and start of production activities.

Skills

Optical engineering

Clearance

FRED

System integration

Team leadership

Modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Graduate degree

Tools

FRED

CodeV

Zemax

MATLAB

Job description

Those willing to work in, reside in, near Rochester, Santa Clara, California or Blacksburg, Virginia may be considered 1st. Those with an existing/active DoD Security Clearance and matching skills may/will be considered 1st

We do not expect any 1 person to have all the skills below and we may be willing to hire 2/3 or more people for our ongoing DoD needs, US Citizens only

Defense industry experience is required, willing to design weapons & counter measures

We are looking for highly talented, motivated, and versatile engineers that can create the next generation of optical solutions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• years of relevant experience in optical stray light analysis tools such as FRED
• Lead Optical Engineer to support the design, analysis, and development of advanced optical and electro-optical systems for aerospace and defense applications.
• stray light analysis and control methods, with primary responsibilities in optical system modeling, performance analysis, and non-sequential evaluation to ensure mission-critical system performance in challenging operational environments.
• support active and passive imaging payloads where stray light suppression, radiometric accuracy, and optical performance directly influence mission success.
• strong background in optical system engineering and experience with complex imaging or sensing systems across design, test, and verification.
• will work closely with cross-functional teams including optical, mechanical, electrical, systems, software, and manufacturing engineering to support programs from concept through integration and test.
• help mature payload architectures, evaluate optical trades, and quantify how stray light, throughput, -background sources, and image chain behavior affect end-to-end system performance in operational space environments.
• someone who combines strong technical knowledge and hardware experience, is comfortable leading complex technical work, and can communicate effectively with internal teams, leadership, suppliers, and customers.
• experience identifying stray light sources, developing mitigation strategies, and assessing their impact on overall optical system performance.
• Familiarity with stray light analysis tools such as FRED is highly desirable.
• Lead or support optical engineering activities for advanced imaging, sensing, and electro-optical systems.
• Lead development of non-sequential stray light and radiometric models for active and passive imaging systems, including assessment of scattering, ghosting, and optical throughput for space-based payloads.
• Support system performance analysis and verification of key optical requirements such as wavefront error, line of sight, distortion, focus, focal length, image quality, and related optical performance metrics.
• Perform end-to-end optical performance analyses that connect design features to mission-level image quality, signal-to-noise, and sensitivity outcomes, and communicate resulting risks, margins, and mitigation recommendations to program teams.
• Contribute to assessment of optical system behavior including ghosting, scattering, and stray light performance, as needed for system design and verification efforts.
• Support design trades for baffles, stops, surface treatments, contamination control, and alignment strategies to reduce stray light and preserve radiometric and optical performance through integration, test, and environmental exposure.
• Generate and review technical documentation including test plans, procedures, error budgets, requirements verification artifacts, design review materials, and final reports.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure optical designs are manufacturable, testable, and fully integrated into the broader system architecture.
• Provide technical leadership in troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and resolution of optical performance issues during development and test.
• Support hardware builds, laboratory demonstrations, integration efforts, and verification campaigns.
• Interface with internal stakeholders, external partners, and suppliers to coordinate technical execution and ensure requirements are clearly understood and met.
• Contribute to risk identification, mitigation planning, and continuous improvement of engineering processes and test methods.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance in optical analysis, test execution, and engineering best practices.
• Ability to obtain a federal security clearance
• typically work on several applied research projects from our larger research portfolio–which aims to provide breakthrough technologies.
• help invent, develop, and validate these technologies, and if they prove successful, assist in their commercialization by our businesses.
• a strong theoretical understanding and practical skills in the general area of precision mechanical engineering.
• inventing and developing electronic and photonic technologies for differentiated next-generation test and measurement solutions.
• working with a friendly, talented, and multi-disciplinary team of experts spanning fields from microwave and photonics to software development.
• apply your mechanical expertise as part of our team to propose, develop, and implement innovative yet practical solutions to technically challenging problems in the optical and photonics fields.
• Identify emerging photonic packaging or mounting technologies early and how they can best be harnessed
• Invent and design optical or photonic packaging and mounting concepts or implementations to significantly impact our businesses.
• Implement these innovative concepts in prototype hardware to prove feasibility.
• Work with our businesses to transfer the technology into commercial products.
• serve as a technical leader responsible for the design, development, testing, and support of advanced fiber-optic, laser, and electro-optic technologies used in mission-critical aerospace and defense applications.
• leverage deep expertise in optical systems and fiber-optic technologies to develop innovative solutions while supporting both new product development and existing products throughout their lifecycle.

Preferred/Desired Additional Skills:

• Holds an active Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Relevant experience with the design, manufacture, integration, test and sell-off of space-based EO/IR subsystems.
• Hands-on experience with optical metrology equipment (interferometers, autocollimators, laser trackers) and phase retrieval techniques.
• Familiarity with specialized metrology software, including Zygo Mx and QED.NET.
• Experience with the design, manufacture, integration, test, and sell-off of space-based EO/IR subsystems.
• Experience with Optical Design software such as CodeV, Zemax OpticStudio
• Ability to collaborate across all levels of leadership.
• Work collaboratively with others and complete assignments with a team-oriented approach.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills – taking complex concepts and sharing with others.
• Ability to architect an end-to-end space system with a full understanding of the product lifecycle.
• Experience with project management aspects of technology development programs.
• Experience with estimating and managing costs & creating and managing schedule
• Candidate with an active Top Secret/SCI clearance is highly desirable.
• Optical Engineering experience with EO/IR space-based payloads, vehicle systems, and/or high performance imaging systems.
• Experience with programming languages such as Matlab and Python
• Working knowledge of optical scatter mechanisms, BSDF/BRDF concepts, ghost path analysis, and the interaction between optical design choices and system-level performance.
• Expertise in materials science and material selection in opto-mechanical design
• Familiarity with photonics integrated circuit (PIC) technologies
• Experience designing tools and fixtures to aid in alignment, fabrication, gluing, and assembly of lasers, lenses, interferometers, PICs, or optical components
• Familiarity with optical design principles and ray tracing software (Code V, Zemax, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
• Familiarity with nano-opto-electro-mechanical systems (NOEMS)
• Lab automation – instrument control and data acquisition

• experience in optical system design, development, and testing.
• Significant experience using Zemax for optical design, simulation, and optimization.
• Experience developing and integrating fiber-optic technologies and devices.
• Strong understanding of laser systems, optical alignment techniques, and imaging-based systems.
• Experience creating technical documentation, test procedures, and manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of applicable standards related to lasers, fiber-optics, and optical manufacturing processes.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex optical and electro-optical systems.
• Develop advanced fiber-optic technologies, including fiber-optic rotary joints, optical switches, high-power optical devices, and multi-fiber harnesses.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for optical systems, techniques, and devices supporting the Power and Data Division.
• Design, build, test, and troubleshoot optical, laser, and imaging-based systems.
• Develop innovative methods and techniques for precision optical alignment and integration.
• Use Zemax software to design, simulate, analyze, and optimize optical systems.
• Create and maintain processes, test protocols, work instructions, and documentation for fiber-optic connector terminations and harness assemblies.
• Establish and formalize work processes that comply with applicable standards and best practices related to lasers, fiber optics, and silicon processing.
• Determine laser safety classifications for laser devices and support the site Laser Safety Officer as the on-site Laser Safety Specialist.
• Evaluate, specify, and procure equipment required for fiber-optic device fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• Support production, qualification, and fielded electro-optic and fiber-optic products by investigating and resolving technical issues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams throughout product development and production.
• Contribute to the development and transition of new optical technologies into manufacturing.

• Experience with fiber-optic rotary joints, optical switches, multi-fiber harnesses, and high-power optical devices.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and production environments.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes for silicon micromachined devices and/or MEMS-based technologies.
• Laser Safety Officer experience or certification.