Senior Photonics Engineer

Bascom Hunter Technologies•O'Fallon, MO

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Bascom Hunter is hiring a Senior Photonics Engineer to lead the design and development of photonic circuits and optical systems for U.S. Department of Defense and aerospace customers. The role covers the full development process, from initial simulation through laboratory characterization, integration, and production. The engineer will define requirements, select architectures, build and test prototypes, and collaborate with electrical and mechanical engineers to deliver hardware. The position is onsite in O’Fallon, Missouri. All positions at Bascom Hunter are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent on successfully completing a background investigation, including criminal history and identity checks. Bascom Hunter is an equal opportunity employer and recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes without regard to protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, and local law.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain or hold a DoD security clearance.
Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Photonics, Optics, Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
At least 8 years of hands-on experience designing, testing, and troubleshooting photonic or optical systems.
Strong foundation in optical physics, including propagation, polarization, interference, and diffraction.
Proficiency with optical simulation tools, laboratory instrumentation, and quantitative data analysis.
Proven ability to lead technical projects and solve multidisciplinary engineering problems.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical work to customers and non-specialists.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, analysis, and development of photonic devices, optical systems, laser systems, and optoelectronic components.
Perform optical modeling and simulation to develop system architectures and evaluate performance.
Define optical requirements, specifications, performance budgets, and verification criteria.
Select and evaluate photonic components, including light sources, detectors, fibers, waveguides, and coatings.
Plan and execute characterization of optical components, subsystems, and integrated systems.
Develop test methods, measurement procedures, and automated test setups.
Analyze test data, identify root causes, and lead troubleshooting of optical, thermal, mechanical, and integration issues.
Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing staff to deliver integrated, producible products.
Ensure designs account for assembly, alignment, testability, and long-term reliability.
Support supplier selection, component qualification, and transition to production.
Prepare specifications, test reports, procedures, and design review materials.