Optical Scientist

Optical Scientist

S2 Corporation is seeking to fill the position of Optical Scientist with a meticulous and detail-oriented employee who enjoys solving problems, possesses great teamwork skills and has the ability to clearly state and share ideas.

Responsibilities:

• Working closely with a cross-functional group of engineers and technicians to design, integrate and test complex photonic systems and components incorporating lasers, fiber optics, electro-optics, non-linear frequency conversion and low noise, high sensitivity photodetection.
• Developing testing protocols to determine functionality and optimization or to establish limits of complex systems and subsystems and to ensure quality.
• Develop mathematical models of subsystems to predict performance, analyze performance and evaluate data.
• Conducting research on new photonic technologies and staying current with the state-of-the-art in the fields of photonics, rare-earth doped crystal hole-burning physics, and optical wave guides.
• Documenting the design processes including objectives, issues, and outcomes.

The successful candidate will have most or all of these essential skills or abilities:

• Ph.D. in electrical engineering, mechanic engineering, physics, or closely related field, or a Masters Degree and 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Detailed knowledge in the fields of atomic and optical physics, photonics and the ability to use these skills in both laboratory and theoretical (modeling) environments.
• Experience managing small groups of scientist and engineers in a research and development environment.
• Detailed understanding and laboratory experience with the following:
• Optical systems and methods including:
• Atomic spectroscopy
• Free-space and fiber-based solid-state and diode lasers and amplifiers
• Non-linear optics for harmonic generation, sum- and difference-frequency generation
• Electro- and acousto-optics for optical beam and optical frequency manipulation
• Optical frequency, phase and amplitude stabilization techniques for creating stable optical references
• Optical spectrum analyzers, power/energy meters, optical signal detectors, optical fiber splicers
• Modeling optical systems with:
• Zemax, Optic Studio, and/or Code V
• Python and/or Matlab environments
• Electronic systems as methods including:
• Oscilloscopes, rf spectrum analyzers, multimeters, pulse generators and general electronics equipment
• RF electronics
• Design, build and troubleshoot analog and digital DC-GHz electronic circuits as needed
• Computing systems as methods including:
• Data acquisition and customized computer control
• Microcontroller-based systems
• Digital signal processing in FFT and Time domain with filtering

Desirable Skills & Abilities:

• Professional work experience in optics, photonics, experimental science or in a related area.
• Professional work experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with cryogenics and vacuum systems.
• Experience with solid-state crystal physics, superconducting magnets, magnetic shielding techniques, rf electronics from DC-100+ GHz.
• Maintain long-term datasets, testing procedures, validate testing systems, and continually assess measurement consistency and reliability across different boule growths.

S2 Corporation's General Employee Requirements:

• The position includes working on U. S. Government funded projects that involve the handling of controlled unclassified information, requiring the successful candidate to have U. S. Citizenship.
• This position may include working on defense department funded projects with security restrictions, which may require a security clearance. The successful candidate must be willing and able to apply for a security clearance.
• The successful candidate will have to pass a preemployment drug test and background check.
• Be able to perform physical tasks around the lab and office spaces such as sitting and standing, each for at least an hour multiple times throughout a day, and occasional lifting of items up to 50lbs.
• Attend required organizational meetings in person or through videoconferencing.
• Clear communication of your efforts so that others can reproduce your efforts as needed.
• Efficiently use word processing, spreadsheet, time reporting, procurement and other software.
• Ability to describe technical progress in project deliverable reports.
• Ability to assist in writing funding proposals.
• Ability to interpret general guidelines and work alone for extended periods to efficiently move projects forward.
• Ability, willingness, and availability to travel to field test events up to several times a year, which may include driving company vehicles and working extended hours outside for several days.
• Ability to function as part of a team, that is highly collaborative, cross-functional and multi-disciplinary on multiple projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to communicate clearly with coworkers, through in-person conversations, email, and on line in organizational software, such as Microsoft Teams.
• Ability to independently learn and apply new approaches…