Photonics Engineer

Peraton•Chantilly, VA

About The Position

This position is for a Photonics Engineer for a large, multi-year contract supporting a cutting-edge and innovative space program. The Photonic s Engineer oversees developer progress in designing, developing, and integrating complex photonic payloads into complete mission systems. This position provides Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) support to the customer’s execution of the P rogram with responsibilities that may include, but are not limited to the following: Role Responsibilities: Serves as Program Office technical lead for design, development, and integration of state-of-the-art photonic payloads P roviding technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle to ensure developer progress is in alignment with customer mission objectives and timelines Translates mission requirements into detailed technical specifications Performs systems- and element-level trade studies to optimize performance, cost, schedule, and risk Provides technical and cost assessment of vendor proposals Reviews technical reports, design artifacts, and program plans Evaluates prime contractor performance at milestone reviews by analyzing compliance with technical requirements and quality of deliverables Offers recommendations to improve program outcomes and likelihood of mission success Develops advocacy and outreach briefings for DoD senior leadership Tracks and report progress at multiple levels of contractor and government leadership Creates models, simulations, and analysis tools and products to model system performance and evaluate mission effectiveness

Requirements

Must be a US Citizen
Must possess an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph
BS or MS degree in relevant Science, Technology, or Engineering field of study
12+ Years of work experience in a relevant field, ideally on satellite programs (government or commercial)
Technical expertise in physics, optics, and engineering principles, including a subset of the following: Experience with free-space, optical fiber, and/or integrated optical/photonic devices
Knowledge of electromagnetic theory, basic spectroscopy, and non-linear optics
Understanding of radiometry and light interaction with materials
Practical experience in handling and operating photonic systems
Analytical and problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot and optimize performance
Experience with environmental qualification of photonic assemblies and components
Effective communication , coordination, interpersonal, and customer engagement skills
Ability to communicate technical topics to a diverse audience of senior decision makers with varying levels of programmatic and technical expertise
Experience with Intelligence Community and/or DoD Program Office best practices
Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic and team-oriented environment without supervision

Nice To Haves

16+ years of work experience in a relevant field
Experience as a PM, PEM, acquisition leader, or CO/COTR in government or commercial programs
Experience supporting DoD resiliency programs

Responsibilities

Serves as Program Office technical lead for design, development, and integration of state-of-the-art photonic payloads
Providing technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle to ensure developer progress is in alignment with customer mission objectives and timelines
Translates mission requirements into detailed technical specifications
Performs systems- and element-level trade studies to optimize performance, cost, schedule, and risk
Provides technical and cost assessment of vendor proposals
Reviews technical reports, design artifacts, and program plans
Evaluates prime contractor performance at milestone reviews by analyzing compliance with technical requirements and quality of deliverables
Offers recommendations to improve program outcomes and likelihood of mission success
Develops advocacy and outreach briefings for DoD senior leadership
Tracks and report progress at multiple levels of contractor and government leadership
Creates models, simulations, and analysis tools and products to model system performance and evaluate mission effectiveness