Senior Optical Engineer

Job Summary

The Senior Optical Engineer at Daylight will be part of an engineering team developing novel laser components and systems and transitioning them into products. This person may act as a technical lead, while at the same time contributing to the analysis, modeling, design, prototyping, and testing of laser components and systems. As individual contributor, this person will be responsible for requirements development, interfacing with critical component suppliers, and planning and executing integration and test. Additionally, this person will solve complex problems requiring deep understanding of laser technology and excellent problem-solving skills as well as contribute to IP, publications, and business development.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, build, and test laser modules and sub-systems from UV to LWIR
• Contribute to requirements development and perform laser architecture trade studies
• Perform optical design and tolerance analysis using sequential and non-sequential Zemax 
• Perform supplementary analysis using Python, MATLAB, or Excel
• Develop laser and build station alignment procedures
• Identify and propose mitigation of technical risks
• Design, build, and validate optical alignment and laser test stations
• Perform initial laser builds and write characterization reports
• Perform Design Verification Testing (DVT) of engineering units
• Write internal reports and contribute to external publications and invention disclosures
• Evaluate failure modes, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions for products with emphasis on optics and opto-mechanics
• Interact effectively and efficiently on small integrated product teams
• Coordinate with manufacturing, supply chain, project management, and customers

The ideal candidate will have:

• Expert-level knowledge of Zemax OpticStudio and laser optical system design experience
• Understanding of image processing and laser beam metrology
• Experience with electro-optic and opto-electronic components and modules
• Experience with electronic test equipment for time-domain and frequency-domain measurements 
• Experience with control theory, signal processing, and RF electronics
• Understanding of mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical designs and components, and their interactions in a system to meet performance requirements
• Experience with transfer to production of complex optical or laser systems
• Appreciation and practice for engineering process rigor appropriately applied based on product & process maturity
• Knowledge of semiconductor laser technology, laser and optical design and modeling, optical components and materials from UV to LWIR, optical metrology and measurement equipment
• Experience with multimode, single mode, and polarization maintaining fiber
• Laser packaging experience
• Experience using SolidWorks

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience (MA or PhD preferred), preferably in Optics
• Fluency in technologies and application domain
• Ability to lead a technical group independently

The pay scale for this position is $113,385/year - $176,030/year. The pay scale information is a general guideline only.  Several factors can influence the pay scale for a position including but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic locations, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity.  Other factors include  the candidate's qualifications such as relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications.

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.