Optical Engineer

VERUS RESEARCH LLC•Albuquerque, NM

4d•$120,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

Verus Research is searching for an Optical Engineer to design and develop optical beam trains, in support of high-energy laser (HEL) effects testing in both a laboratory and field setting. The Optical Engineer will be responsible for designing and supporting the test team by developing and integrating laser beam trains to ensure accurate beam requirements achieving program-specific test objectives. The preferred candidate has a strong knowledge of laser induced optical damage, and Bi-Directional Reflectance Function (BRDF) measurement. The Optical Engineer will have a strong foundation in optical engineering principles, laser induced damage, and beam propagation, with demonstrated experience designing beam trains that incorporate optical components such as mirrors, lenses, beam expanders, spatial filters, beam splitters, and alignment systems. The candidate will be proficient in optical modeling and analysis and be capable of optimizing optical system performance while maintaining safe operation of HEL facilities. Verus Research is committed to solving our customer’s most challenging technical problems and seeks solution-oriented individuals to enhance our team’s ability to thrive in this role. This posting is for work in Albuquerque, NM, located on Kirtland Air Force Base. Primary responsibilities include developing optical layouts for complex test configurations, selecting and specifying optical components, troubleshooting optical alignment and system verification issues, and developing solutions to address optical system anomalies. The candidate will support the local metrology laboratories which focus on laser coupling and BRDF measurements. The ideal candidate for the Optical Engineer role will possess a strong mix of leadership traits, analytical skills, relevant experience, and the ability to communicate complex ideas and provide innovative solutions. They will be comfortable translating experimental objectives into practical optical system designs, adapting beam train configurations to evolving test requirements, and developing innovative solutions to challenging laser effects testing problems. Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced research environment are essential.

Requirements

US Citizen
Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Photonics, or related field
Experience designing beam trains for high-energy or high-power laser systems
Proficiency with Zemax, OpticStudio, or FRED optical design software
Experience with beam characterization techniques, wavefront sensing, and laser diagnostics
Knowledge of laser-material interaction physics and laser-induced damage mechanisms
Familiarity with motion control systems, opto-mechanical design, and precision alignment techniques
Knowledge of ANSI Z136 laser safety standards and operation of Class 4 laser systems
Experience supporting DoD directed energy or survivability/vulnerability testing

Nice To Haves

Strong knowledge of laser induced optical damage
Strong knowledge of Bi-Directional Reflectance Function (BRDF) measurement
Strong foundation in optical engineering principles, laser induced damage, and beam propagation
Demonstrated experience designing beam trains that incorporate optical components such as mirrors, lenses, beam expanders, spatial filters, beam splitters, and alignment systems
Proficient in optical modeling and analysis
Capable of optimizing optical system performance while maintaining safe operation of HEL facilities
Strong mix of leadership traits, analytical skills, relevant experience, and the ability to communicate complex ideas and provide innovative solutions
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Attention to detail
Ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced research environment

Responsibilities

Developing optical layouts for complex test configurations
Selecting and specifying optical components
Troubleshooting optical alignment and system verification issues
Developing solutions to address optical system anomalies
Supporting local metrology laboratories which focus on laser coupling and BRDF measurements
Translating experimental objectives into practical optical system designs
Adapting beam train configurations to evolving test requirements
Developing innovative solutions to challenging laser effects testing problems