Optical Engineer

QinetiQ US•Fort Belvoir, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

QinetiQ US is seeking an entry-level or early-career Optical Engineer to join our engineering team supporting the design, development, testing, and evaluation of prototype optical C5ISR systems and Advanced Electro-Optical Counter-Countermeasures (EOCCM) technologies. This is a full-time, onsite position located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The selected candidate will contribute to the research, development, and evaluation of InfraRed (IR) and Electro-Optic (EO) devices operating across the Visible (VIS), Near IR (NIR), Short-Wave IR (SWIR), Mid-Wave IR (MWIR), and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) portions of the EO/IR spectrum, as well as threat warning sensors and advanced EOCCM solutions.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering or a similar engineering-related discipline with 2–5 years of related experience, or a Master's degree in the same with 0–2 years of related experience
Experience with lens and imaging system design, analysis, and/or assembly
Ability to perform hands-on assembly and testing of optical devices, instruments, and systems, from prototype to low-rate production
Ability to transition optical devices, instruments, and systems to manufacturing
Some experience in optics manufacturing, whether prototype or production
Current experience with Zemax optical design software
Current experience with Python or similar instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis software
An enjoyment for a wide variety of tasking, from design, analysis, and technical writing to hands-on lab work
Must have an active DoD Secret or higher clearance #qinetiqclearedjob

Nice To Haves

Experience in imaging science and analysis
Experience with VIS, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and/or LWIR imaging systems, including dual-band and multi-band sensor configurations
Experience with imaging system assembly, test, and/or calibration, including cooled and uncooled detector technologies, Dewars, and sensor characterization
Experience with EOCCM technologies, threat warning sensors, Image Intensifiers (I?/I?TV), or Low Optical Cross Section (OCS) sensor development
Familiarity with Anti-Jamming techniques and/or laser damage protection methods
Experience with laboratory and field testing of EO/IR sensors and systems
Experience with machining, mechanical design, electronics, electronic design, and/or building scientific instruments
Experience with lasers and/or a variety of optical components and instruments
Experience preparing test plans, test reports, and scientific and technical documentation
A passion for optical devices of all kinds, from large-format cameras and microscopes to astronomical telescopes and/or heads-up displays

Responsibilities

Working with senior engineering and scientific staff, contribute to the design, assembly, and/or testing of new and legacy optical designs and optical systems from prototype to production
Support the development, testing, and evaluation of IR and EO devices operating in the VIS, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR wavebands, including MWIR/LWIR and VISNIR/SWIR Threat Warning Sensors
Provide technical support for EOCCM evaluation across Visible Camera (Day TV), Image Intensifier (I?), Digital Image Intensifier (I?TV), SWIR, cooled and uncooled detectors, Dewars, sensors, and camera evaluation activities
Support research and development of advanced Low Optical Cross Section (OCS) sensor technologies, including Day TV, I?, I?TV, SWIR, NIR, MWIR, LWIR, and dual-band or multi-band sensor configurations
Support research and development of Anti-Jamming techniques and laser damage protection methods
Procure sensors and perform laboratory testing, characterization, and field testing of advanced EO/IR camera sensors operating in Ultraviolet, Visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR wavebands, including multi-band camera sensors
Plan and carry out optical test, calibration, and characterization with legacy instruments and procedures; carry out possible upgrades; and design and develop new instruments and methods as needed for prototype and production
Plan, test, and characterize the performance of both legacy and new imaging systems
Support test and evaluation activities by characterizing components and systems in the laboratory and in the field, including preparation of test plans and test reports in accordance with applicable Data Item Descriptions (DIDs) and Scientific and Technical Report requirements
Communicate, collaborate, and operate within multidisciplinary teams, working with hardware and software engineers to design, develop, assemble, test, and optimize function of the finished product
Develop and write specifications, assembly, and/or test procedures for optical components, modules, and sub-systems to support product from lab to manufacturing
Assist in maturing prototype designs into low-rate production
Work within customer-driven performance, test, manufacturing, cost, and schedule constraints
Apply a strong understanding of optics and physics, including the ability to model optical sensor performance from ray-tracing to radiometry to MTF and SNR