IR Camera Systems Principal Engineer

Safran DSI•Camarillo, CA

3d•$180,000 - $240,000

About The Position

Join the forefront of innovation and make an impact at Safran Defense & Space, Inc.! Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI), headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading U.S. aerospace company dedicated to supporting national defense and space missions. As a trusted partner to the U.S. armed forces, government agencies, and commercial sectors, Safran DSI delivers advanced technology solutions through its specialized business units: Assured PNT, Attollo Engineering, Geospatial AI, Optronics, Space Solutions, and Testing & Telemetry. Attollo Engineering is a designer and manufacturer of cutting-edge infrared cameras and laser sensor systems for defense and industrial applications. Leveraging extensive expertise in the electro-optical market, systems design, and packaging, Attollo delivers superior solutions for system integrators, original equipment manufacturers, and custom applications. Their commitment to quality engineering empowers Safran DSI to provide innovative and reliable technology to its partners. If you’re ready to join our mission and serve those who serve, Safran DSI is the perfect place for you to take your career to the next level. Make a real difference and be part of something extraordinary. Apply now and help us build the future of defense and space.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a closely related technical discipline. Master’s degree preferred.
Deep, hands-on IR camera systems development: System architecture, requirements definition, integration, and characterization. Cooled SWIR or MWIR experience strongly preferred over uncooled-only.
Strong understanding of cooled detector and IDCA (Integrated Detector Cooler Assembly) fundamentals, detector array characteristics, ROIC (Read-Out Integrated Circuit) interfaces, vacuum packaging, and cryocooler integration sufficient to make sound trade-off decisions and flag risks.
Solid knowledge of camera electronics architecture and analog/digital design (front ends, biasing, power, clocking, data interfaces) enough to define requirements, review designs, and troubleshoot at the bench.
Solid knowledge of camera firmware and embedded software architecture, including image correction/processing functions such as NUC (Non-Uniformity Correction), bad-pixel replacement, auto-exposure/auto-gain, and basic image enhancement.
Demonstrated ability to define and negotiate electrical, optical, mechanical, and environmental requirements with customers.
Ability to obtain Active DoD Secret Security Clearance
Requires U.S. Citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

Active or recently active DoD security clearance (Secret or higher).
Direct experience with handheld target locator modules, fire control systems, weapon sights, gimbaled ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) payloads, or guided munition seekers.
Experience leading or contributing to SBIR/STTR (Small Business Innovation Research /Small Business Technology Transfer) or other government R&D proposals.
Experience with FPGA-based camera architecture and image processing pipelines.
Direct experience with cryocooler integration, vacuum packaging design, and detector-level test and characterization.
Experience working in an ITAR environment

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary technical authority for Attollo's SWIR/MWIR camera products and related sensor technologies — making judgment calls on quality, design trade-offs, and risk based on broad industry experience.
Work directly alongside engineers in the lab on assembly, integration, validation, test, and hardware/firmware/software troubleshooting.
Lead and contribute to technical design reviews (PDR/CDR/TRR — Preliminary, Critical, and Test Readiness Reviews) across hardware, firmware, software, and optics.
Define and refine electrical, optical, mechanical, firmware, and environmental requirements for new and existing products.
Drive resolution of difficult cross-disciplinary problems spanning optics, electronics, firmware, image processing, and integration.
Engage credibly with defense primes, mid-tier integrators, and government laboratory customers to solve problems and develop new product concepts.
Lead technical content for proposals — writing key sections and coordinating contributions from other engineers.
Anticipate customer needs and translate them into actionable engineering requirements.
Represent Attollo at design reviews, customer site visits, technical conferences, and industry working groups.
Mentor and develop engineers across disciplines and levels; build the next generation of technical leadership.
Contribute to engineering policies, procedures, and best practices with a bias toward lightweight, small-company-appropriate processes.
Identify capability gaps and propose targeted investments in people, equipment, or training.
Identify, evaluate, and champion new technologies relevant to Attollo's strategic direction.
Lead conceptual development of new products from requirements definition through architecture and early prototyping, bridging strategic roadmap with tactical execution on active programs.
Participate in special projects as assigned