Electro-Optical Simulation Engineer

General Atomics • San Diego, CA

96d • $98,100 - $171,398

About The Position

General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world's leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) is rapidly expanding its Optical Technologies Group, building a world-class, vertically integrated capability in multi-spectral space and airborne electro-optical (EO) payloads, optical communication terminals (OCTs), adaptive optics (AO), missile seekers, and directed energy (DE) systems. Our mission is to deliver cutting-edge technologies that protect the nation and its warfighters. We are seeking a talented Imaging Simulation Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will develop software systems to simulate the output of imaging systems and interface the output of the imaging simulator with other system components. Your work will play a critical role in system design, optimization, and validation, ensuring that systems meet performance requirements in real-world applications.

Requirements

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree, master's degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; six or more years of experience with a bachelor's degree, four or more years of experience with a master's degree, or two or more years with a PhD.
• 5+ years of experience in imaging system simulation, software development, or related areas.
• Strong understanding of physics-based imaging system principles, including optics, detectors, and signal processing.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar for simulation tool development.
• Experience with simulation tools and frameworks (e.g., Zemax, Code V, OpenCV, DIRSIG, SPEOS, etc).
• Ability to design and implement mathematical models for imaging system components.
• Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in developing simulations for defense, aerospace, or other regulated industries.
• Familiarity with GPU programming and parallel computing for high-performance simulations.
• Knowledge of ITAR/EAR regulations and compliance.
• Hands-on experience with imaging system prototyping and testing.
• Cross-disciplined 'systems thinker'.
• Self-starter with the ability to operate independently in both theoretical and experimental settings.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a record of innovation and practical implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to brief technical and non-technical audiences.
• Passion for advancing EO and photonics technologies in national security applications.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop software tools for simulating imaging system outputs, including optical, spectral, and sensor-level characteristics.
• Create mathematical models to represent imaging system components, such as lenses, detectors, and signal processing algorithms.
• Collaborate with optical engineers, systems engineers, and software developers to integrate simulation tools into broader system design workflows.
• Analyze simulation results to identify performance trends, optimize system design, and troubleshoot issues.
• Develop user interfaces and documentation for simulation tools to support internal and external stakeholders.
• Validate simulation models against experimental data to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Stay updated on advancements in imaging system technology, simulation methodologies, and computational tools.

Benefits

• Salary: $98,100 - $171,398

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services