Camera/Imaging Engineer - LWIR

Key Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and optimize optical systems for thermal (LWIR, EO) imaging applications.
• Lead the integration of thermal camera modules into gimbal-stabilized payloads, ensuring optimal optical, mechanical, and thermal performance.
• Perform optical modeling, tolerancing, and stray light analysis using tools such as Zemax, Code V, or FRED.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers to design optomechanical assemblies, mounts, and housings that meet environmental, vibration, and weight requirements.
• Develop and execute test plans to characterize thermal camera and gimbal system performance, including MTF, NETD, boresight stability, line-of-sight (LOS) jitter, and image quality.
• Support calibration, alignment, and qualification of integrated optical payloads.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5+ years of professional optics engineering experience, including optical design, analysis, and testing.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience working with thermal cameras (LWIR and/or MWIR), including familiarity with detector technologies (microbolometer, cooled IR detectors), optics materials (Ge, Si, ZnSe, chalcogenide), and IR system performance metrics.
• Proven experience integrating thermal cameras into gimbaled payloads or stabilized platforms, including alignment, boresighting, and performance validation.
• Proficiency with optical design and analysis software (e.g., Zemax, Code V, FRED, or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of optomechanical design principles and tolerancing.
• Experience with optical metrology and test equipment (collimators, blackbodies, interferometers, MTF testers, etc.).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Experience designing or integrating EO/IR payloads for UAVs, ISR platforms, or other airborne/ground/maritime systems.
• Familiarity with multi-sensor payloads combining thermal, visible, SWIR, and laser rangefinder/designator components.
• Knowledge of gimbal stabilization principles, line-of-sight control, and inertial stabilization systems.
• Experience with environmental qualification testing (MIL-STD-810, DO-160) for optical payloads.
• Familiarity with image processing techniques and thermal image quality assessment.
• Experience working in regulated environments (ITAR, EAR) and with defense or aerospace customers.
• Programming/scripting experience (Python, MATLAB) for analysis, automation, or test data processing.

Pay

$120K - $180K