Purple Squirrel

TalentRemedy • Herndon, VA

146d

About The Position

This role is for a Technical North Star of the organization, serving as the guardian of the technical integrity of a mission. The day involves balancing abstract concepts in photonics with the practicalities of orbital survival, strategic synchronization with program managers and customers, deep-dive technical leadership with engineering teams, and shaping the future through design reviews and adoption of new tools. The role also involves visionary reflection on future roadmaps for space exploration.

Requirements

• Master’s or PhD in Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related Applied Science field.
• 10+ years of professional experience.
• Experience leading diverse, elite teams through technology development.
• Proven experience in qualifying electro-optical systems for US Military or Space applications.
• Subject matter expertise in at least one of the following: high-energy laser systems, LIDAR sensing, or deep-space optical communications.
• Fluency in modern engineering languages and tools, including Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), ZEMAX for optical design, or structural/thermal analysis.
• Experience mentoring engineers and building better processes.
• US Citizenship.
• Ability to hold a Secret (or higher) Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Theoretical depth to challenge assumptions.
• Practical mind to build what's never been built.
• Experience with "design-for-manufacturing" mindsets.
• Experience working on programs that define national security.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical "go/no-go" decisions to keep the mission on track.
• Articulate the technical authority and resilience of the company's solutions to customers like NASA or DOD advisors.
• Lead "Brain Trust" sessions to help engineering teams solve complex technical challenges by asking guiding questions.
• Review Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) updates to identify and mitigate technical risks.
• Lead "Red Team" reviews to stress-test designs and mentor teams in defending their work.
• Discuss and guide the adoption of new simulation tools to ensure future manufacturing predictability.
• Review roadmaps for new systems, considering the long-term future of space exploration.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior