Senior Photonics Engineer

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory•Cambridge, MA

21h

About The Position

As a Senior Photonics Engineer in Draper’s Photonic Systems Group, the successful candidate will contribute to developing advanced photonic platforms for sensors, LiDAR, and quantum systems. Working with engineers and physicists, the candidate will model, design, develop, and characterize prototype sensors, systems, and technology platforms. Experience simulating photonic components and systems using tools such as Lumerical, Rsoft, or Tidy3D, or other computing environments, is desired. Competency with MATLAB, Mathematica, or a similar computing environment, and knowledge of microfabrication processes sufficient to guide design work, are also desired. The role involves developing and applying advanced design methods, analyzing and recommending design approaches, and planning and conducting hardware projects or project phases. The engineer may provide technical consultation and work leadership, contribute to technical reports and presentations, independently execute analysis assignments under program leadership oversight, and collaborate with internal and external partners. Applicants selected for the position must obtain and maintain a government security clearance; a Secret clearance is preferred. The position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The US base salary range is $82,300 to $220,000. Draper describes programs supporting work-life balance, including workplace flexibility, employee clubs, health and finance workshops, off-site social events, and discounts to local museums and cultural activities.

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 with Lumerical, Rsoft, Tidy3D, or other computing environments.
Competency with 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 when 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.