Principal Optical Engineer

Draper•Cambridge, MA

2d•$95,000 - $245,000•Onsite

About The Position

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation.

Requirements

Proficiency in digital and analog electronics circuit design, high-performance, real-time embedded firmware development.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent mathematical skills.
Excellent mechanical skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent time management skills with the proven ability to meet deadlines.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to prioritize tasks.
Thorough understanding of engineering theories and procedures.
Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Masters or PhD degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Designing, analyzing, integrating components with optical devices, and demonstrating device prototypes.
Develops, builds and tests systems and products based on optic, photonic and laser technologies.
Interacts with device, hardware and software design teams to develop optical systems; specifying, selecting and qualifying active and passive optical components, developing and benchmarking system performance models.
Develop and implement test procedures and/or evaluating and selecting appropriate test instrumentation.
Provides multi-discipline support to instrumentation production by resolving technical issues associated with components, parts, products or systems.
Testing of new and existing designs and documentation of changes through a formal engineering change notification process.
Provide recommendations for cost reduction efforts.
Apply quantitative analysis in determining root cause of highly technical problems and propose, develop and implement solutions for corrective action.
Develop and maintain effective internal/external relationships.
Independently drive solutions to complex problems - develop requirements, propose ways forward when customer requirements are unclear or incomplete, and adapt appropriately to changes in requirements.
Subject Matter Expert (SME) in cyber security, able to plan, design, and execute large scale technical software and hardware solutions.
Able to provide insight and suggest design modifications based on analysis outcomes, and to apply analysis techniques across a range of technical disciplines
Identify program/system-level technical risks and develop and execute mitigation strategies for them.
Develop, document, and teach best practices to less experienced engineers; Demonstrate strong organization, planning, and time management skills to achieve program goals.
Performs other related duties as assigned.