Senior Staff Scientist - Optics

Role Purpose

The candidate will design, model, assemble, analyze and test optical and photonic components and systems. The candidate will conduct research and development into phases of physical optics, geometric optics, optical materials, optical metrology, laser damage testing and laser material processing.

Key Responsibilities

• Adhere to laboratory safety protocol
• Identify sources for, and procure, components including sensors, lasers, fiber-optics, opto-mechanics and electronics.
• Assemble or supervise and manage the assembly of prototypes.
• Use design-to-cost models, six sigma methodology and other methods to assure optical design requirements are met.
• Build subject matter expertise in optics, materials, and laser processes
• Consult or collaborate with other subject matter experts across various business units, from research to manufacturing.
• Document system designs and results; generate reports and file invention disclosures
• Make technical internal and external presentations to team members, customers and at conferences
• Lab organization and the ordering of components or equipment.

Experiences/Education - Required

• Master's Degree in physics, optical engineering or electrical engineering and 10 years of relevant experience.
• Strong working knowledge of optics and optical properties of materials
• Ability to perform modeling of optical systems using Zemax, CodeV, FRED or a comparable system
• Strong problem solving skills
• Effective communicator, oral and written, in a variety of presentation settings: one-on-one, small and large groups, with peers, direct reports and management
• Strong hands-on experimental skills in building free-space optical and photonic systems
• Measurement of optical and photonic components and systems
• Able to perform complex data analysis
• Comfortable with traveling up to 25% domestic or international

Experiences/Education - Desired

• Working knowledge of optical metrology systems such as laser confocal microscopes and optical interferometers
• Working knowledge of light-matter interactions
• General understanding of radiometry and photometry
• Automation of measurement systems (using Labview, C#, MATLAB, Python, etc.)
• Mechanical design and assembly of prototypes
• Experience in numerical analysis techniques including beam propagation methods and multi-physics modeling