Fiber Optic Applications Engineer

The Pennsylvania State University • Freeport, PA

1d • $109,300 - $191,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are searching for a Senior Fiber Optic Applications Engineer to join our Electro-Optics and Electronics Division within the Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainment Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intelligence Community (IC). You would join a team advancing the state of the art in multiple areas of optical system development and manufacturing technology improvements, providing superior technical performance to enhance warfighter capability. This position works out of ARL’s Freeport, PA location. ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Requirements

• Strong desire to innovate and create technologies that advance the capabilities of our customers
• Capture customer needs and create novel solutions
• Explain complex ideas in simple terms
• Foster new relationships by delivering relevant results on time and within scope
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Insight to know when and what should be delegated
• Product evolution from concept to prototype to brass board
• Fiber handling/splicing, lab equipment usage and preferentially, computer controlled-automation/data collection
• DoD industrial base needs in the area of fiber optics
• Inherently inquisitive and willing to learn new concepts
• Deep understanding of many aspects of fiber optics. Topics may include: propagation physics including linear and nonlinear effects, practical engineering aspects of fiber optics, including fusion splicing, connectors, cable routing, micro- and macro-bending loss effects, and mechanical reliability, communications theory including OOK, DWDM, coherent modulation formats, link budgets, Q budgets, dispersion budgets, and penalty assessments, free-space to fiber coupling including optimized optics, alignment techniques, and the ability to calculate fiber coupling efficiency
• Bachelor's Degree - Engineering or Science
• 14+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Research and Development Engineer - Senior Professional)
• 5+ years of relevant experience (if filled as Research and Development Engineer - Advanced Professional)
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
• All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance

Nice To Haves

• A Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related field is highly desired
• End-to-end optical sensor development
• Current relationships with optical suppliers and familiar with the optics vendor ecosystem
• Business development experience with government customers
• Project management and leadership
• Fiber optic transmission, communication theory, advanced optical signal coding and modulation formats, and network architecture
• Fiber optic systems and components, such as lasers, modulators, EDFAs, dispersion compensators, fibers, passive components, receivers, and high-speed optical modules and sub-systems
• Commercial optical transport products, including 40G/100G coherent systems
• Transmission modeling software (such as VPI), ZEMAX optical design software, LabVIEW, and MATLAB
• Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Responsibilities

• Perform research and development tasks into optical fiber applications. These include system-based analysis tasks as well as prototype development and testing
• Communicate and document results in reports and presentation
• Assist with development of proposals for projects
• Assist in new concept development; analyzing alternatives independently and applying engineering techniques and procedures to assignments
• Lead fiber-optic-related projects of small or moderate size and scope, making substantial contributions
• Engage with government customers to identify opportunities and provide potential solutions that lead to funded projects
• Provide technical leadership within the division for fiber optics
• Chair sessions at technical conferences/meetings; participate in external seminars, workshops, professional societies and committees
• Independently manage multiple and/or large optical projects

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees