Senior Optical Engineer

1 day ago

San Diego, California, United States Leidos Full time
Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Optical Engineer to join our team in San Diego, CA. As a key member of our small dynamic team, you will be responsible for designing and developing advanced optical imaging systems for national defense space platforms.

Key Responsibilities
  • Design novel optical imaging systems, select components, and analyze tolerances to support product development and manufacturing.
  • Expert technical knowledge of principles, theories, and concepts in precision optical system and subsystem design.
  • Lead implementation of optical alignment techniques, optical alignment tools, and metrology.
  • Generate optical module or system concepts to meet product requirements.
  • Perform development activities including requirements definition, engineering reviews, risk evaluations, verification testing, and documentation.
  • Work with suppliers on custom or semi-custom component selection, specification, and qualification.
  • Assemble and evaluate prototypes, including optical characteristics, image quality, light polarization measurement, and thermal characteristics.
  • Maintain detailed laboratory notes of experimental results and create necessary program documentation.
  • Troubleshoot and analyze failures or performance gaps in optical systems, plan and conduct investigations, and determine solutions.
  • Evaluate new test/process equipment and tools and provide recommendations.
  • Document prototype assembly procedures that can be used for subsequent manufacturing process documentation.
  • Identify potential roadblocks and develop solutions where the solution is not always well defined but always considers operational capability first.
  • Work to improve performance metrics through critical planning and execution of development tasks.
  • Advocate for clean room protocols and processes and best practice associate with optical element cleaning, handling, and packaging.
  • Participate in project planning, including key deliverables, timeline, and budget with tracking of actions and alignment of schedules.
  • Assemble and test opto-mechanical and electro-optic prototypes.
  • Advanced understanding of materials and mounting methods for opto-mechanical systems.
  • Advanced understanding of preparation and use of primers, one and two part adhesives, and elastomers.
  • Mentor other engineers and technicians in optical design, error budgets, error analysis, optical fabrication techniques, alignment methods, and optical metrology tools.
Requirements
  • Bachelor's Degree in Optical Engineering or similar from an accredited college or university.
  • 12-15 years' work experience in optical design, including design of imaging systems.
  • Experience with optical design software such as Code V, LightTools, and/or Zemax, including tolerance analysis and stray light modeling.
  • Experience with optical system assembly methods and materials.
  • Familiarity with the tools and techniques needed to characterize optical systems, including resolution, distortion, field curvature, and colorimetry.
  • Experience troubleshooting the lab setups and systems and perform root cause failure analysis & stray light analysis.
  • Experience with the transfer of new designs and processes to manufacturing.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance. (U.S. Citizenship is required)
  • Ability and willingness to work onsite in San Diego, California.
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a development team.
  • Self-motivation and comfort working in a fast-moving high-tech environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree or PhD, or a demonstrated understanding of Optical Physics and first principles-based approach to problem solving.
  • Development experience in space-based systems.
  • Experience defining and simulating detailed optical requirements based on future product needs.
  • Experience in system level imaging system analysis.
  • Familiarity with a camera image pipeline and its relationship to lens performance.
  • Current and active DoD Secret clearance.
  • Willing to obtain a Top Secret clearance.

Leidos is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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