Optics Engineer

Nou Systems Inc•Huntsville, AL

15h

About The Position

nou Systems, Inc. (nSI) is now officially a 100% ESOP company! We value teamwork and collaboration, and this transition allows us to take that commitment to a new level. nSI empowers our customers by supplying products, services, and expertise with powerful, data driven insights that transform defense systems and improve capabilities. nou Systems, Inc. (nSI) is seeking a highly skilled Optical Engineer to serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for optical sensor systems in support of the U.S. Army Ronald Reagan Space and Missile Test Range (RTR). Optical sensors have been integral to RTR since the 1960s, providing unmatched visible and infrared tracking for missile and space missions. While the Range Contractor executes day-to-day operations, nSI engineers work alongside RTR leadership, the Range Contractor, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL) to ensure that RTR optical systems are fully mission-ready and capable of meeting evolving requirements. The successful candidate will act as a technical authority for optical sensor capabilities, evaluate performance across the range’s five Super RADOT sites, and provide engineering expertise to guide mission operations, CONOPS evolution, and long-term modernization strategies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline.
Proven expertise in optical system design, calibration, and performance characterization.
Strong systems engineering background with ability to assess requirements, readiness, and mission risks.
Experience working in joint environments with government, contractor, and laboratory partners.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience with test ranges, missile defense, or space tracking operations.
Familiarity with radar-optical integration and distributed control architectures.
Ability to lead technically without direct operational control of systems.
Strong communication and collaboration skills across multi-organization teams.

Responsibilities

Serve as an RTR optical systems SME, representing nSI in collaboration with RTR leadership, the Prime Contractor, and MIT/LL.
Monitor performance and readiness of high-resolution visible and infrared sensors paired with 24-inch class apertures on two-axis gimbal mounts.
Ensure optical systems achieve stringent metric accuracy and signature data collection requirements for missile and space missions.
Provide independent technical assessments and recommendations on upgrades, risks, and technology roadmaps.
Support mission planning, real-time execution, and post-mission analysis with expert optical engineering input.
Inform CONOPS development and operational changes to optimize performance and resiliency.
Collaborate across radar, telemetry, and instrumentation teams for integrated mission success.
Track emerging optical technologies and assess applicability to RTR operations.