Optical Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton•King George, VA

1d•$77,500 - $176,000

About The Position

The Optical Engineer will provide optical technical expertise to support testing of state-of-the-art directed energy weapon systems and electro-optic (EO) components for the U.S. Navy and other Department of War entities. The role applies experience with optics and lasers to testing and integration activities that enhance warfighter capabilities. The engineer will work in laboratory environments to design test setups and plans, collect data, and report meaningful results. The work includes optical equipment and component alignment, laser systems, EO sensor testing, image processing, and integration of optical systems with other engineering specialties. Applicants must be able to obtain a Secret clearance. The projected annual compensation range is $77,500 to $176,000. Benefits include health, life, disability, financial and retirement benefits, paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, dependent care, and recognition awards. The posting does not specify a location or workplace type.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience with optical test equipment, such as oscilloscopes, power meters, photodiodes, detectors, interferometers, wavefront sensors, spectrometers, or beam profilers.
At least 5 years of experience aligning optical components, cameras, lasers, or opto-mechanics.
At least 3 years of laboratory experience, including designing test setups, developing test plans, recording data, and reporting meaningful results.
Experience with laser systems, including gain media, pump sources, thermal management and control, opto-mechanics, optical coatings, substrates, characterization and specification, beam shaping, or beam control.
Experience with image processing for object tracking, detection, recognition, and identification, and with testing EO sensors as they apply to weapons-system integration.
Knowledge of major laser-system components and integration, including the optical train.
Ability to collaborate with engineering specialties such as mechanical, optical, and software engineering across a functional team.
Ability to learn, adapt, and assist with testing high-priority weapons systems in a professional environment.
Ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
Bachelor's degree in Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering.

Nice To Haves

At least 10 years of experience working with U.S. Navy or other military-service laser and EO systems.
At least 5 years of experience with high-energy laser (HEL) weapon systems, including fiber laser technology.
At least 5 years of experience with ISR EO technology development, analysis, test and evaluation, and platform integration.
Experience with design and analysis software such as FRED, Zemax, WaveTrain, SolidWorks, or MATLAB, and creating models with these tools for optical ISR system design and layout.
Experience with pulsed lasers, fiber optics, free-space optics, nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, imaging and radiometric tools, or integrated photonics.
Experience analyzing HEL interactions with materials and components, laser propagation theory and experiments, and modeling and characterizing laser performance in relevant military environments and ranges.
Knowledge of practical problems involved in designing, building, integrating, and testing laser weapons systems.
Master's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field preferred; doctorate in one of these fields is a plus.

Responsibilities

Support testing of directed energy weapon systems and electro-optic components.
Provide optical technical expertise to the U.S. Navy and other Department of War entities.
Design laboratory test setups and develop test plans.
Record test data and report meaningful results.
Align optical components, cameras, lasers, and opto-mechanics.
Test EO sensors and support their integration into weapons systems.
Apply image processing for object tracking, detection, recognition, and identification.
Collaborate with mechanical, optical, software, and other engineering specialties in developing optical systems.
Assist with testing high-priority weapons systems in a professional environment.