Junior Optical Engineer or Physicist (Job ID:4692)

Valkyrie•Huntsville, AL

23h

About The Position

Valkyrie Enterprises is seeking a Junior Optical Engineer or Physicist to support weapon system sensor/seeker simulation, testing, evaluation, development, planning, and analysis in Huntsville, Alabama, and at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Work may include optical system requirements, design, development, and analysis; scene projector optics and integration with seekers and sensors; and laser and infrared radiometry and testing of cameras and sources. The role provides optical engineering expertise for design, development, integration, testing, verification, and analysis related to scene projection and weapon system integration and test. Development support includes designing, assembling, aligning, and testing optical, illumination, and laser systems. Operational support includes configuring and radiometrically calibrating specialized equipment and operating it to test missile sensors/seekers and other electro-optical sensors. The position also involves designing laser and optical solutions, coordinating with optical subject matter experts, collaborating with and mentoring team members, preparing program status reports for senior leadership and government customers, and identifying program risks and developing contingency plans. The position requires comprehensive knowledge to resolve complex problems and provide workable solutions. The ideal candidate has experience in optical systems, optical engineering, sensor/seeker testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation. Travel is none to occasional, at 10–25% or less. The candidate must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or a related area.
At least 0–10 years of related experience.
Ability to conduct research and perform analysis on optical requirements and designs.
Experience with optical design software for optical system design and ray tracing.
Higher-level programming language skills, such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent, for data analysis and visualization.
Strong analytical and reasoning skills and ability to visualize optical and laser systems.
Strong communication skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
Self-motivated and self-directed, with keen attention to detail.
Analytical and creative problem-solving abilities, a passion for solving problems, and customer service orientation.
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree in optical engineering, physics, or a related field.
Experience with optical design, assembly, ray tracing, and/or HWIL testing.
Experience with HWIL equipment such as laser and/or electro-optical infrared (EOIR) scene projectors, sources, sensors, and/or optics.
Experience with ZEMAX, Code V, OSLO, or equivalent software.
Experience with Department of Defense programs.
Active Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

Provide optical engineering design, development, integration, test, verification, and analysis expertise for scene projection and weapon system integration and test activities.
Serve as an optical engineering team member and coordinate with other optics subject matter experts.
Design and develop laser and optical solutions for testing seekers and sensors.
Design, assemble, align, and test optical systems, illumination systems, and laser systems.
Configure and radiometrically calibrate specialized equipment, and operate it in support of missile sensor/seeker and other electro-optical sensor testing.
Conduct research and analysis on optical requirements and designs.
Collaborate continuously and mentor team members and others.
Support preparation of regular program status reports for senior leadership and government customers.
Identify and mitigate program risks and develop contingency plans.