Lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer

CACI•Florham Park, NJ

15h•Onsite

About The Position

CACI is looking for a Lead Opto-Mechanical Engineer to join our Photonics team. This role involves assisting with the packaging and integration of optical systems based around telescopes, gimbals, custom and COTS PCBs, passive, active, and free space components, and their supporting hardware. These systems are frequently integrated onto a variety of host platforms including satellites and aircraft, which requires design, analysis, simulation, and field measurements to ensure peak performance. Under limited direction, you will design the packaging for complex subsystems with optical, photonic, optoelectronic, electrical, and mechanical elements for R&D and production programs for U.S. government customers. You will own mechanical designs from concept through flight qualification, including requirements definition, trade studies, and detailed design. You will collaborate with optical engineers to translate optical prescriptions into robust mechanical designs, and design optical mounts and systems for launch loads, vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and vacuum environments. You will also collaborate with and manage 3rd party vendors to resolve specification, performance, and reliability issues to realize the commercial and custom parts necessary to build the system. Additionally, you will support integration, alignment, and test (I&T) activities, including environmental testing and troubleshooting. As a lead, you will lead a team of other designers, analysts, and engineering professionals, developing the technical direction and providing guidance and mentorship. You will also provide input to project schedules and budget, ensuring timely completion and high-quality outcomes.

Requirements

BS in Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of 10 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience.
Proficient use of computer-aided design software, with SolidWorks preferred.
Experience working with optomechanical systems, precision structures, or high-stability mechanical assemblies.
Strong understanding of optical mounts, materials, tolerancing, and alignment techniques.
Takes full ownership of assigned projects, and exhibits strong leadership skills by guiding and mentoring team members to achieve project goals.
Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM), with experience applying these principles to improve product quality and manufacturability.
Must be a US Citizen.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated expertise in the design of complex subsystems with optical, photonic, optoelectronic, electrical, and mechanical elements.
Involvement with gimbal systems or other precision motion control mechanisms, including design, integration, and optimization for applications in optical systems or robotics.
Familiarity with material behavior in space environments, such as CTE matching, thermal gradients, and outgassing considerations.
Proven experience conducting static, modal, thermal, nonlinear, or dynamic simulations using FEA solvers (Ansys or Nastran), or collaborating with analysts to ensure adequate margin and performance.
Experience in optical and electronic subassembly layout including board physical design, chassis or enclosure design, optical fiber routing, and electrical and optical connector selection.
Experience in creating or contributing to project schedules, estimating effort, and managing labor budgets.
Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with the packaging and integration of optical systems.
Design the packaging for complex subsystems with optical, photonic, optoelectronic, electrical, and mechanical elements.
Own mechanical designs from concept through flight qualification, including requirements definition, trade studies, and detailed design.
Collaborate with optical engineers to translate optical prescriptions into robust mechanical designs.
Design optical mounts and systems for launch loads, vibration, shock, thermal cycling, and vacuum environments.
Collaborate with and manage 3rd party vendors to resolve specification, performance, and reliability issues.
Support integration, alignment, and test (I&T) activities, including environmental testing and troubleshooting.
Lead a team of other designers, analysts, and engineering professionals, developing the technical direction and providing guidance and mentorship.
Provide input to project schedules and budget, ensuring timely completion and high-quality outcomes.