Lead Systems Engineer - Optical Systems & Mechanical Integration

Bright Silicon Technologies•Pleasanton, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Bright Silicon Technologies is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to lead the optomechanical design and architecture of our Free-Space Optical (FSO) terminal. This role is responsible for transforming functional block diagrams and project requirements into precision Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) hardware capable of maintaining tight line-of-sight lock on airborne targets. The position involves driving system architecture, translating product specifications and government program goals into technical system requirements, developing Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and coordinating teams to deliver a dynamic PAT optomechanical system. The engineer will also transform concepts into physical hardware by taking conceptual system block diagrams and product requirements and translating them into detailed technical designs, guiding cross-functional teams through component selection, build out, and testing of SWaP-C optimized payloads for mobile platforms. Additionally, the role requires leading project execution and timelines, serving as the technical lead for multidisciplinary engineering teams, maintaining project schedules, evaluating scope against timeline, making trade-offs, and advocating technical roadmaps to leadership. Collaboration with external partners and vendors to ensure project milestones are met is also a key responsibility. Finally, the Lead Systems Engineer will own verification and testing, designing, overseeing, and executing verification test plans to ensure integrated optical/electronic payloads meet system performance requirements and project demonstration needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Optical Engineering, Physics or a related field.
Strong hands-on background in optical front-end systems, free-space optics, tracking systems, lidar, or precision optomechanical packaging.
Proven ability to define hardware interfaces and select high-precision components (lenses, mirrors, sensors).
Experience taking conceptual architecture diagrams and modeling system layouts, tolerances, and performance using trade-off analysis tools (e.g., CAD, MATLAB, or optical modeling software).
Hands-on experience creating and executing physical integration test plans, optical alignment routines, or environmental verification.
U.S. Person status (citizen, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or a protected individual) is required due to working with Government sensitive information (CUI and ITAR).

Nice To Haves

Experience packaging precision components like MEMS, beam-steering arrays, sensors, or semiconductor laser modules.
Familiarity with thermal, structural (FEA), or stray light analysis for optical systems.
Experience with SWaP-C constrained payload design or airborne environmental testing (MIL-STD-810/DO-160 exposure).

Responsibilities

Drive System Architecture: Translate product specifications and government program goals into technical system requirements, developing Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and coordinate teams to deliver a dynamic Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) optomechanical system for line-of-sight acquisition of dynamic airborne targets and free-space optical communications.
Transform Concepts into Physical Hardware: Take conceptual system block diagrams and product requirements (sketches, functional flows, concept powerpoints), translate them into detailed technical designs and guide cross-functional teams through component selection, build out and test of SWaP-C optimized payloads for mobile platforms.
Lead Project Execution & Timelines: Serve as the technical lead for multidisciplinary engineering teams. Maintain project schedules and evaluate scope against timeline, making trade-offs, and advocating technical roadmaps to leadership. Work with external partners and vendors to ensure all parts of the project are delivered to meet C-UAS tracking and communications demonstration milestones.
Own Verification & Testing: Design, oversee, and execute verification test plans to ensure integrated optical/electronic payloads meet system performance requirements and project demonstration needs.