IR Camera Systems Principal Engineer

Safran DSI Business Unit: Attollo Engineering

Join the forefront of innovation and make an impact at Safran Defense & Space, Inc.! Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI), headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading U.S. aerospace company dedicated to supporting national defense and space missions. As a trusted partner to the U.S. armed forces, government agencies, and commercial sectors, Safran DSI delivers advanced technology solutions through its specialized business units:
Assured PNT, Attollo Engineering, Geospatial AI, Optronics, Space Solutions, and Testing & Telemetry. Attollo Engineering is a designer and manufacturer of cutting‑edge infrared cameras and laser sensor systems for defense and industrial applications. Leveraging extensive expertise in the electro‑optical market, systems design, and packaging, Attollo delivers superior solutions for system integrators, original equipment manufacturers, and custom applications. Their commitment to quality engineering empowers Safran DSI to provide innovative and reliable technology to its partners.

If you’re ready to join our mission and serve those who serve, Safran DSI is the perfect place for you to take your career to the next level. Make a real difference and be part of something extraordinary.

The Principal Engineer, IR Camera Systems serves as a primary technical authority for Attollo's SWIR (short‑wave infrared) and MWIR (mid‑wave infrared) camera product lines and adjacent sensor technologies, driving quality, design trade‑offs, and risk‑based engineering judgment across optical, electronic, firmware, and detector disciplines. This is a high‑influence individual contributor role — roughly 40% external‑facing (customer technical engagement, requirements negotiation, proposal support, design reviews) and 60% internal (hands‑on lab work, troubleshooting, mentoring, and setting technical direction on active programs and new development).

The role carries broad technical authority without direct‑report responsibility, and requires both the ability to define a solution path and the willingness to work at the bench to realize it.

• Serve as a primary technical authority for Attollo's SWIR/MWIR camera products and related sensor technologies — making judgment calls on quality, design trade‑offs, and risk based on broad industry experience.
• Work directly alongside engineers in the lab on assembly, integration, validation, test, and hardware/firmware/software troubleshooting.
• Lead and contribute to technical design reviews (PDR/CDR/TRR — Preliminary, Critical, and Test Readiness Reviews) across hardware, firmware, software, and optics.
• Define and refine electrical, optical, mechanical, firmware, and environmental requirements for new and existing products.
• Drive resolution of difficult cross‑disciplinary problems spanning optics, electronics, firmware, image processing, and integration.
• Engage credibly with defense primes, mid‑tier integrators, and government laboratory customers to solve problems and develop new product concepts.
• Lead technical content for proposals — writing key sections and coordinating contributions from other engineers.
• Anticipate customer needs and translate them into actionable engineering requirements.
• Represent Attollo at design reviews, customer site visits, technical conferences, and industry working groups.
• Mentor and develop engineers across disciplines and levels; build the next generation of technical leadership.
• Contribute to engineering policies, procedures, and best practices with a bias toward lightweight, small‑company‑appropriate processes.
• Identify capability gaps and propose targeted investments in people, equipment, or training.
• Identify, evaluate, and…