Optical System Engineer and Lens Designer (Job ID:4540)

Valkyrie Enterprises•Huntsville, AL

55d•Hybrid

About The Position

Valkyrie Enterprises is seeking an Optical System Engineer & Lens Designer in Huntsville, AL and Redstone Arsenal, AL for weapon system sensor/seeker simulation, testing, and evaluation, development, planning and analysis. This role involves refractive and reflective optical system requirements, design, tolerancing, development, and analysis, as well as the integration of custom-designed visible and infrared lens systems with scene projectors and seeker/sensor hardware. Responsibilities include laser and infrared radiometry, optical performance characterization, and testing of electro-optical cameras and sources. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in lens design (Zemax OpticStudio), opto-mechanical CAD modeling, multi-spectral optical system analysis, sensors/seekers testing, and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation. The successful candidate will play a critical role in expanding our technology solutions to customers and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction. Development support activities will include the optical design, mechanical packaging, assembly, alignment, and testing of complex refractive and reflective optical systems, illumination systems, and laser systems. Operational support activities will include configuration, radiometric calibration, and operation of specialized equipment in support of the testing of missile sensors/seekers and other electro-optical sensors across visible and infrared wavebands.

Requirements

Must have a BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical area and at least 5–10+ years of related experience in optical design and engineering (mid-to-senior level).
Must have experience with a BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical area.
Must have proven track record of designing, tolerancing, and analyzing complex refractive and reflective optical systems and elements.
Must have extensive experience with optical design software, specifically Zemax OpticStudio, for ray tracing, optimization, and tolerancing.
Must have extensive experience with opto-mechanical packaging and CAD design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or equivalent) to bridge the gap between optical design and mechanical implementation.
Must have demonstrated experience working with both visible and infrared (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR) wavelengths, including material selection, coatings, and thermal effects.
Must have higher-level language programming skills (Matlab, Python, or equivalent) for data analysis, optical test automation, and design visualization.
Must have a passion for solving complex optical and physical problems and providing workable hardware solutions.
Must have a strong analytical and reasoning skills with the ability to visualize complex 3D optical/laser systems.
Must have excellent all-around communication skills with a proven ability to work individually and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
Must be self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
Must have customer service orientation experience.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related degree, preferred.
Deep experience in stray light analysis (using Zemax, FRED, ASAP, or equivalent) and environmental/thermal analysis of optical systems, preferred.
Extensive experience with HWIL simulation equipment, such as Laser and/or Electro-optical Infrared (EOIR) Scene Projectors, collimators, blackbody sources, sensors, and target generators, preferred.
Experience in secondary optical design platforms like Code V or OSLO, preferred.
Experience with Department of Defense (DoD) programs and military standards (MIL-SPEC) for optical component fabrication and testing, preferred.
Active Secret clearance, preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide advanced optical engineering, lens design, opto-mechanical integration, testing, verification, and analysis expertise for scene projection and weapon system integration and test activities.
Serve as an optical engineering and lens design subject matter expert (SME) and coordinate with other optical and mechanical hardware engineers.
Perform end-to-end design of refractive and reflective optical systems (including lens, mirror, and prism design) utilizing Zemax OpticStudio, spanning visible and infrared (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR) wavelengths.
Utilize opto-mechanical CAD software to model, package, and analyze optical components, mounts, and systems, ensuring structural and thermal stability.
Develop custom laser and optical solutions for testing seekers/sensors, managing optical trade studies, tolerancing, and stray light analysis.
Support hands-on laboratory activities including the assembly, alignment, and optical testing (e.g., interferometry, MTF measurement, wavefront analysis) of developed systems.
Perform configuration, radiometric calibration, and operation of specialized HWIL equipment in support of missile sensors/seekers and other electro-optical sensors.
Apply comprehensive knowledge to resolve complex opto-mechanical and optical performance anomalies.
Collaborate continuously with cross-functional engineering teams, providing mentorship to junior optical engineers and physicists.
Support the preparation of regular program status reports, technical design reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR), and presentations for senior leadership and government customers.
Identify and mitigate optical program risks while developing robust technical contingency plans.