Lead Optical Engineer

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage the optical requirements of the program and evaluate technical risk 
• Responsible for conceptual development and detailed analysis of various optical systems that include telescopes, beam directors, relay optics, and optical test benches
• Support cross-site programs that can include refractive and reflective optical sensors from near UV to IR
• Provide support and manage optical procurement of components and subassemblies
• Responsible for the execution of the assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of optical hardware
• Generate formalized optical engineering content for design and technical reviews throughout the program life cycle (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, etc.)
• Provide understanding and design insight into physical optics, optical aberration theory and optical system performance criteria.
• Responsible for understanding properties and application of optical materials: crystalline, glass, metal, and polymer materials 
• Responsible for understanding and specifying Anti-Reflective (AR), High-Reflective (HR), Ion-Beam Sputtered (IBS) dielectric, and filter optical coatings
• Troubleshoot and resolve optical design and hardware performance issues
• Recommend and implement design and process improvements
• Support optical technology development by offering insights and informed suggestions for new concepts and research and development activities 
• Communicate effectively and execute with a multi-disciplinary team toward optical system goals
• Ability to work independently and status work products
• Support program management with technical advice and direction on assigned programs; adheres to program financial goals and provides financial estimates and status updates to program management

Education & Experience

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in optics, optical-physics, or other related discipline.  An understanding of optical design, fabrication, and test, and the ability to apply engineering theories and concepts are essential.
• Minimum 7 years of related experience in a professional role with a bachelor’s degree in Optical Sciences or related discipline; or minimum of 5 years of experience with a master’s degree, or 3 years of experience with a doctorate in a relevant field.

Skills

• Optical design software expertise (Code V [preferred] or ZEMAX)
• Familiarity with stray light analysis is considered a plus (FRED [preferred] or TracePro)
• Scripting capability to support various analysis tasks (MATLAB [preferred], PYTHON, Optical Software)
• Comfortable describing optics sensing and laser propagation using coherent and incoherent sources
• Technical knowledge of a wide application of principles, theories and concepts in the field of precision optical system architecture
• Responsible for performing optical sensitivity and Monte Carlo tolerance analyses with guidance
• Understanding of Opto-Mechanical design principles
• Understanding of optical component or system test and metrology instruments, techniques, and performance testing, e.g. Transmitted Wavefront Error, Surface Figure, focal length, transmission, relative illumination, vignetting etc.
• Collaborates with I&TE with design input on optical alignment techniques and optical alignment tools and metrology (interferometers, spectrophotometers, autocollimators, theodolites, measuring/toolmaker microscope, lasers, etc.)
• Perform trade studies and engineering analyses of optical alignment and tests for optical instruments 
• Understanding of clean room protocols and processes and best practice associated with optical element cleaning, handling, and packaging
• Supports Vendor/supplier sub-contract management including optics, mechanics, tooling fabrication, and optical coatings
• Exposure to and knowledge of optical component or system inspection per typical standards, e.g. MIL-PRF-13830B or ISO 10110, including cosmetic or functional Scratch-Dig, particle or residue contamination, reflectance, transmittance, index of refraction, surface roughness, BRDF, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Working Conditions

• Job operates in a professional office environment
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines
• Work in a cubicle office

Physical Requirements

• Walk. Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word