Senior Photonics Engineer

Draper•Cambridge, MA

2d•$82,300 - $220,000

About The Position

As a Senior Photonics Engineer in Draper’s Photonic Systems Group, the candidate will contribute to the development of advanced photonic platforms for sensors, LiDAR, and quantum systems. Working with engineers and physicists, the engineer will model, design, develop, and characterize prototype sensors, systems, and technology platforms. Desired experience includes simulating photonic components and systems using tools such as Lumerical, RSoft, or Tidy3D, or other computing environments; using MATLAB, Mathematica, or similar; and applying knowledge of microfabrication processes to guide design work. The role involves developing design methods and approaches, planning and conducting hardware projects, and contributing to development of quantum, optical, and/or photonic sensors and instruments. The engineer may provide technical consultation and work leadership, independently execute analysis assignments under program leadership, and contribute to technical reports and presentations. Applicants selected must obtain and maintain a government security clearance; a Secret clearance is preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, optics, or a similar field.
With a bachelor’s degree, 5–7 years of experience in Physics Engineering or a related field.
With a master’s degree, 3–5 years of experience in Physics Engineering or a related field.
Proficiency in a programming language.
Ability to write software routines for laboratory experiments, including data collection, storage, and basic data reduction.
Consistency, accountability, and flexibility in managing multiple and competing priorities.
Ability to lead technical solutions to complex user requirements.
Excellent communication, technical writing, oral presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

PhD degree.
Secret security clearance.
Experience simulating photonic components and systems using tools such as Lumerical, RSoft, Tidy3D, or other computing environments.
Competency in MATLAB, Mathematica, or a similar computing environment.
Knowledge of microfabrication processes sufficient to guide design work.

Responsibilities

Develop and apply advanced design methods, theories, and research techniques.
Analyze, develop, and recommend design approaches to meet prototype or production requirements.
Plan and conduct hardware projects or phases of projects.
Develop quantum, optical, and/or photonic sensors and instruments.
Provide technical consultation and work leadership to other team members as needed.
Recommend performance improvements and cost-reduction efforts.
Use quantitative analysis to determine root causes of highly technical problems and propose, develop, and implement corrective solutions.
Develop and maintain effective internal and external relationships.
Independently execute analysis assignments under the oversight of program leadership.
Contribute to technical reports and presentations with appropriate guidance.
Adapt to changes in program requirements.
Identify challenges associated with assigned work and communicate them to project leadership.
Perform other related duties as assigned.