Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Responsibilities

• Design the packaging for complex subsystems with optical, photonic, optoelectronic, electrical, and mechanical elements for R&D and production programs for U.S. government customers.
• Own mechanical designs from concept through flight qualification, including requirements definition, trade studies, and detailed design.
• Collaborate with optical engineers to translate optical prescriptions into robust mechanical designs.
• Design optical mounts and systems for launch loads, vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and vacuum environments.
• Develop and maintain optical alignment strategies, including athermalization and stability over temperature.
• Produce build-to drawings and data packages and collaborate with and manage 3rd party vendors to resolve specification, performance, and reliability issues and realize the commercial and custom-machined parts necessary to build the subsystem.
• Support integration, alignment, and test (I&T) activities, including environmental testing and troubleshooting.
• May lead a team of other designers, analysts, and engineering professionals.
• May directly supervise lab technicians.

Required

• BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of 5 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience.
• Proficient use of computer-aided design and analysis software, with SolidWorks and Ansys strongly preferred.
• Experience working with optomechanical systems, precision structures, or high-stability mechanical assemblies.
• A strong understanding of optical mounts, materials, tolerancing, and alignment techniques.
• Familiarity with use of and preparation of CAD models for use in FEA software for thermal and structural (shock and vibration) analysis.
• Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) methodologies, with experience applying these principles to improve product quality and manufacturability.
• Must be a US Citizen.

Desired

• Experience in the design of complex subsystems with optical, photonic, optoelectronic, electrical, and mechanical elements.
• Experience with gimbal systems or other precision motion control mechanisms, including design, integration, and optimization for applications in optical systems or robotics.
• Familiarity with material behavior in space environments, such as CTE matching, thermal gradients, and outgassing considerations.
• Proven experience conducting mechanical simulations using ANSYS Mechanical (static, modal, thermal, nonlinear, or dynamic).
• Experience in optical and electronic subassembly layout including board physical design, chassis or enclosure design, optical fiber routing, and electrical and optical connector selection.
• A Master’s degree preferred.