Mid-Level Optical Engineer

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize advanced sensor and imaging systems, including EO/IR and FPA based technologies, from concept through validation.
• Own subsystem performance, including modelling, analysis, and verification against system requirements.
• Lead integration and debugging of complex, multi-domain systems, including sensors, FPGA, RF, optics, etc., identifying root causes and driving resolution.
• Lead and contribute to design reviews.
• Develop and execute test plans, analyze data, and iterate designs based on performance gaps.
• Perform trade studies across sensor architectures, components, and processing approaches to identify risk and opportunity in performance, cost, and schedule.
• Drive hardware design, bring-up, lab characterization, and field testing, including instrumentation and data collection strategy.
• Interface directly with cross-functional teams to resolve design, integration, and performance issues.
• Generate high-quality technical outputs, including design documentation, test reports, performance assessments, etc., suitable for program level reviews.
• Own component selection and design decisions across sensing, electronics, and optical subsystems.
• Apply working knowledge of FPA performance, signal processing, RF, and communication interfaces where applicable.
• Support integration, testing, and performance evaluation of sensor systems on deployed platforms, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS), with focus on payload performance and constraints.
• Contribute to development and assessment of sensor capabilities for UAS and C-UAS applications, including detection, tracking, and identification performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Optical, Photonics, Physics, Electrical, or similar) with 3-6 years of experience or Master’s Degree with 0-3 years of experience.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance (interim clearance is required to start).
• Please note, US Citizenship is required to obtain a secret clearance.
• Experience with sensor systems and FPA technologies, including calibration and performance characterization and optimization.
• Proven ability to independently execute engineering work from requirements through test and validation.
• Ability to translate complex technical work into clear, concise communication for both technical and non-technical audiences, supporting program reporting and decision making.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work, manage competing tasks, and deliver results in alignment with project schedules and budget expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering (Preference in Electrical, Optical, Physics or similar) with 3-6 years of experience.
• Active Secret Clearance.
• Programming skills for data analysis, automation, or algorithm development utilizing C++, Python, and/or MATLAB.

Compensation Details

$80,000 - $120,000 annually

Benefits Overview

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Retail benefits (including 401(k) matching).
• Retirement benefits.
• Education reimbursement.
• Parental leave.
• Employee stock purchase plan.
• Tax-saving options.
• Disability and life insurance.
• Pet insurance.