Staff Optics Engineer

About the role

Moog is a performance culture that empowers people to achieve great things. Our people enjoy solving interesting technical challenges in a culture where everyone trusts each other to do the right thing. For you, working with us can mean deeper job satisfaction, better rewards, and a great quality of life inside and outside of work. As a Staff Optics Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader responsible for the design, development, testing, and support of advanced fiber-optic, laser, and electro-optic technologies used in mission-critical aerospace and defense applications. You will leverage deep expertise in optical systems and fiber-optic technologies to develop innovative solutions while supporting both new product development and existing products throughout their lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Develop advanced fiber-optic technologies, including fiber-optic rotary joints, optical switches, high-power optical devices, and multi-fiber harnesses.
• Serve as the subject matter expert for optical systems, techniques, and devices supporting the Power and Data Division.
• Design, build, test, and troubleshoot optical, laser, and imaging-based systems.
• Develop innovative methods and techniques for precision optical alignment and integration.
• Use Zemax software to design, simulate, analyze, and optimize optical systems.
• Create and maintain processes, test protocols, work instructions, and documentation for fiber-optic connector terminations and harness assemblies.
• Establish and formalize work processes that comply with applicable standards and best practices related to lasers, fiber optics, and silicon processing.
• Determine laser safety classifications for laser devices and support the site Laser Safety Officer as the on-site Laser Safety Specialist.
• Evaluate, specify, and procure equipment required for fiber-optic device fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• Support production, qualification, and fielded electro-optic and fiber-optic products by investigating and resolving technical issues.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program teams throughout product development and production.
• Contribute to the development and transition of new optical technologies into manufacturing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, Materials Science, Optical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in optical system design, development, and testing.
• Significant experience using Zemax for optical design, simulation, and optimization.
• Experience developing and integrating fiber-optic technologies and devices.
• Strong understanding of laser systems, optical alignment techniques, and imaging-based systems.
• Experience creating technical documentation, test procedures, and manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of applicable standards related to lasers, fiber-optics, and optical manufacturing processes.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex optical and electro-optical systems.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. DoD Security Clearance and access U.S. export-controlled information.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Materials Science, Optical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with fiber-optic rotary joints, optical switches, multi-fiber harnesses, and high-power optical devices.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and production environments.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes for silicon micromachined devices and/or MEMS-based technologies.
• Laser Safety Officer experience or certification.

Benefits

• Great compensation package, bonus opportunities, matching 401(k), and ability to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan (select locations), Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts.
• Flexible paid time off, holidays and parental leave program, relocation assistance.
• Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), and other supplemental benefit coverages.
• Tuition assistance, mentorship and coaching opportunities, leadership development and other personal growth programs.
• Warm, respectful, family-like environment driven by 12 core values; multiple Employee Resource Groups; Flexible Friday Afternoon.

Pay

Salary range: $120,000.00–$180,000.00 annually (Blacksburg, VA).

Schedule

Onsite – Blacksburg, VA