2024 Electro-Optical Sensor Performance Engineer
About The Position
The Aerospace Corporation, operating a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), is seeking an Electro-Optical Engineer for the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), specifically within the Integrated Sensor Design and Analysis Department (ISDAD). This role involves pioneering remote sensing systems and advancing technology through research, development, demonstration, and integration. The ISDAD team focuses on developing the nation’s next generation of remote sensing systems for Department of Defense and national security customers. The selected candidate will lead optical system design, analysis, and testing for critical national security space programs, working on projects ranging from short-turnaround prototypes to Class A satellites. The work involves designing concepts with a system focus, analyzing them against mission requirements, and evaluating systems from optical, thermal, and structural perspectives in a concurrent engineering environment. This role directly influences Government acquisition decisions and the design, development, and fielding of sensing capabilities crucial for national defense.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or equivalent STEM discipline is required, with a minimum of five or more years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical engineering
- Demonstrated experience performing detailed optical system design and analysis using optical ray trace code software such as CodeV or Zemax
- Strong computer programming skills (e.g., data analysis, scripting) in an engineering application environment such as MATLAB, Python, ENVI/IDL, or Mathematica
- Professional experience in passive remote sensing electro-optical system performance evaluation including radiometry, optical design and testing, and sensor performance metrics
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work interactively and effectively with government customers and contractor personnel
- Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI SSBI security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance
- Eight or more years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical engineering (for Engineering Specialist)
- Hands-on laboratory experience in assembling, aligning, and measuring performance metrics of electro-optical sensors (for Engineering Specialist)
- Demonstrated technical leadership experience including leading design reviews, and guiding multi-disciplinary teams (for Engineering Specialist)
- Proven track record of delivering optical system solutions for space-based remote sensing programs (for Engineering Specialist)
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or equivalent is highly preferred and a minimum of 8 or more years of increasing, applicable professional experience in optical engineering
- Demonstrated experience conducting optical system architecture trades and link budget analysis for mission-driven applications
- Experience performing stray light analysis using tools such as FRED
- Extensive lens design experience for electro-optical remote sensing space-based systems
- Hands-on experience with optical alignment, integration, and build activities for flight hardware
- Experience supporting field tests to characterize sensor performance in various infrared bands and operational environments
- Active TS/SCI security clearance
Responsibilities
- Design, model, and analyze passive electro-optical airborne and space-based remote sensing systems using standard ray tracing tools (e.g., CodeV, Zemax). Systems include broadband visible and infrared systems, multi- and hyper-spectral imaging systems, and visible and infrared non-imaging (point source detection) systems
- Evaluate infrared sensor performance both theoretically and experimentally for long range acquisition under varied visual environments and illumination conditions
- Leverage sensor performance analyses to inform customers of expected sensor performance
- Design, assemble, align and test complex electro-optical sensors
- Perform stray light analysis of complex electro-optical sensor systems
- Collaborate with cross-disciplinary engineering teams (e.g., structural, thermal, and systems engineers) in a concurrent engineering environment
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
- 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
- Flexible spending accounts
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
- Relocation assistance
- Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
- Education assistance programs
- An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
