Basic Qualifications
Generally 5 or more years of related optical engineering experience.
Experience designing, modeling, integrating, or testing laser optical systems (e.g., beam propagation, beam delivery or shaping, fiber or free-space coupling).
Working knowledge of geometrical and physical optics, radiometry, and optical quality metrics (e.g., M² and wavefront error for laser systems, or MTF and encircled energy for imaging systems).
Proficiency with Zemax OpticStudio or CODE V for optical design, analysis, and tolerancing.
Experience performing engineering analysis and evaluating model or test data (e.g., using MATLAB, Python, or equivalent tools).
Experience communicating technical results through written documentation and design review presentations.
U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
Desired Skills
Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Active Top Secret/SCI clearance, or active Top Secret clearance with eligibility for SCI or other required compartmented access.
Experience leading optical AI&T of laser or electro-optical hardware, including alignment and environmental testing (e.g., vibration, thermal vacuum).
Experience developing optics or optical hardware for space flight.
Hands-on optical test experience (e.g., beam profiling, M², and power/energy for laser systems; interferometry and MTF for imaging systems), including troubleshooting measured performance.
Experience with non-sequential and physical optics modeling (e.g., Zemax OpticStudio, FRED) for beam propagation, diffraction, ghost, or scatter analysis.
Experience with high-power laser optics considerations, such as laser-induced damage threshold, contamination control, or thermal effects (e.g., thermal lensing).
Experience applying tolerance, sensitivity, and structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP) analyses to hardware decisions.
Understanding of stray light, ghost, and backscatter mitigation techniques (e.g., baffles, stops, coatings, tilted surfaces) and experience working with stray light analysts to implement design changes.
