Lead Optical Systems Engineer

About the role

CACI is looking for a Lead Optical Systems Engineer in our Space Line of Business, supporting our photonics team. Our laser communications technology is helping NASA provide high-definition video from the International Space Station and explore asteroids 250 million miles away. Our optical technology also supports scientists in discovering biohazards, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, and protects soldiers from explosive devices.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovative optical solutions related to optical communications, optical remote sensing, communications, optical amplifiers, and optical tracking.
• Serve as a system architect, defining system-level requirements and translating them into actionable subsystem and control requirements.
• Design control systems using both classical and modern methods, with expertise in feedback control theory, state estimation, and system dynamics.
• Develop, implement, tune, and validate control laws, filters, and estimators on physical hardware.
• Design and optimize pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems for laser communication terminals or other high-precision optical/aerospace platforms.
• Control fast steering mirrors, gimbals, fine/coarse pointing systems, and other precision stabilization devices.
• Use MATLAB/Simulink and Python for control design, analysis, simulation, and test automation.
• Build and use simulation environments to evaluate closed-loop performance, including hardware-in-the-loop integration and testing.
• Define sensing and actuation architectures, control interfaces, and data rate requirements for high-performance systems.
• Collaborate across software, hardware, and test teams to integrate and mature control systems from concept through validation.
• Troubleshoot optical system and subsystem failures.
• Develop test procedures and test stations.
• Support transition of engineering prototypes into production.
• Support field testing with occasional travel to off-site and out-of-state locations (up to 10% travel, primarily within the Continental US).
• Recommend and initiate process improvements and overall development practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (preferably Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or Physics) with at least 15 years of applicable experience, or a PhD with at least 10 years of industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of controls and optical systems.
• Excellent hands-on and laboratory skills in building, testing, validation, and troubleshooting of optical, fiber optic, electrical, and/or mechanical subsystems.
• Proactive, organized, self-motivated individual requiring minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be a US Citizen with the ability to obtain a US government clearance at the level required for the position.

Qualifications (Desired)

• Experience with spaceflight hardware.
• Working understanding of optical communications, including common modulation formats, photo-receiver sensitivities, and noise analysis.

Benefits

• A culture of integrity, placing character and innovation at the center of everything.
• An environment of trust, valuing unique contributions and providing autonomy through flexible time-off benefits and robust learning resources.
• A focus on continuous growth, advancing critical missions and building on a track record of success.
• Comprehensive benefits, including healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time-off options.

Pay

The proposed salary range for this position is $105,100–$231,100. Final salary will be influenced by factors such as geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

US citizenship is required for this role.