Directed Energy Optics Engineer

HII's Mission Technologies division•Knoxville, TN

2d•$76,283 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems. HII works within our nation’s intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners. Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every team member contributes to our mission and culture: Know & Grow Your People – Commit to learning and supporting team success. Build Relationships – Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust. Take Ownership – Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work. Customer First – Focus on the mission and those we serve. Shape the Future – Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement. Act with Urgency – Take initiative and follow through with purpose. These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies. Seeking an engineer or research scientist with expertise in directed energy systems, high-energy laser (HEL) engagement modeling, and computational simulation. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in physics, mathematics, and engineering with experience in target tracking, beam control, atmospheric modeling, and vulnerability assessment for laser weapon systems. This position combines research and development in directed energy systems with practical engineering applications in laser weapon engagement modeling and autonomous target tracking systems.

Requirements

2 years relevant experience with Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Math or related field; OR 0 years experience with Masters; OR High School Diploma or equivalent and 6 years relevant experience.
Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and simulation software platforms
Strong understanding of quantum mechanics, wave propagation, and laser physics
Experience with End-to-End Engagement Model (ETEM) or similar directed energy simulation tools
Knowledge of tracking algorithms, image processing, and computer vision techniques
Ability to develop and validate computational models for complex physical systems

Nice To Haves

M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field
Experience with embedded systems and hardware development
Background in CAD tools (SolidWorks, MicroStation, Abaqus) for system design and FEA analysis
Research experience in quantum turbulence, vortex dynamics, or Bose-Einstein condensates
Familiarity with machine learning for target detection and classification
Understanding of vulnerability assessment methodologies for directed energy weapons
Simulation & Modeling: ETEM, Abaqus, atmospheric propagation codes
CAD/Design: SolidWorks, MicroStation, STM32CubeMX
Analysis: Structural FEA, beam control algorithms, tracking fusion methods
Documentation: Technical report writing, data visualization, results analysis
Programming: MATLAB, Python, VBA, C/C++ (STM32, embedded systems)

Responsibilities

Develop and execute simulations for high-energy laser engagement scenarios, including target acquisition, tracking, and kill-chain assessment
Model atmospheric effects (turbulence, thermal blooming) and their impact on beam propagation and engagement effectiveness
Design and implement tracking algorithms including centroid tracking, active contour methods, and machine learning-based detection systems
Conduct vulnerability modeling to analyze time-to-kill metrics, aim-point selection, and power-on-target calculations
Develop simulation tools for beam control, tracking systems, and atmospheric compensation strategies
Analyze complex engagement scenarios across diverse conditions including variable backgrounds, clutter, and changing trajectories
Generate technical reports and present findings on system performance and effectiveness
Script and automate batch simulations to systematically evaluate engagement parameters