Senior Optical Engineer

Overview:

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross‑fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation.

The Senior Optical Engineer designs, develops, and tests optical technologies and systems, develops and implements test procedures, and interacts with hardware and software design teams to determine the qualification and manufacturability of new technologies.

• Designing, analyzing, integrating components with optical devices, and demonstrating device prototypes.
• Developing, building, and testing systems and products based on optic, photonic and laser technologies.
• Interacting with device, hardware and software design teams to develop optical systems; specifying, selecting and qualifying active and passive optical components, developing and benchmarking system performance models.
• Developing and implementing test procedures and selecting appropriate test instrumentation.
• Providing multi‑discipline support to instrumentation production by resolving technical issues associated with components, parts, products or systems.
• Testing new and existing designs and documenting changes through a formal engineering change notification process.
• Providing recommendations for cost reduction efforts.
• Applying quantitative analysis in determining root cause of highly technical problems and proposing, developing and implementing solutions for corrective action.
• Developing and maintaining effective internal/external relationships.
• Driving solutions to complex problems with limited direction, contributing to requirements development, proposing ways forward and adapting appropriately to changes in requirements.
• Providing insight and design modification suggestions based on analysis outcomes and applying analysis techniques across a range of technical disciplines.
• Identifying program/system‑level technical risks and developing and executing mitigation strategies.
• Mentoring less experienced engineers and providing constructive feedback.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

• Proficiency in digital and analog electronics circuit design, high‑performance, real‑time embedded firmware development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent mathematical skills.
• Excellent mechanical skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time‑management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks.
• Thorough understanding of engineering theories and procedures.

Requires a bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field. Master's or PhD degree preferred.

5-10 years of Optical Engineering experience or related field required.

Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.

Cambridge, Massachusetts,

$82,300.00 - $

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Draper is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request reasonable accommodation, please contact