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.

Senior Optical Engineer designs, develops, and tests optical technologies and systems. The role develops and implements test procedures while selecting appropriate test instrumentation 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.
• Develop, build, and test systems and products based on optical, photonic, and laser technologies.
• Interact with device, hardware, and software design teams to develop optical systems, specifying, selecting, and qualifying active and passive optical components, and developing and benchmarking system performance models.
• Develop and implement test procedures and evaluate and select appropriate test instrumentation.
• Provide multidisciplinary support to instrumentation production by resolving technical issues associated with components, parts, products, or systems.
• Test new and existing designs and document changes through a formal engineering change notification process.
• Provide recommendations for cost‑reduction efforts.
• Apply quantitative analysis to determine root causes of highly technical problems and propose, develop, and implement solutions for corrective action.
• Develop and maintain effective internal and external relationships.
• Define the analysis approach for a particular problem and independently execute assignments.
• Contribute high‑quality content for technical reports and presentations with minimal guidance.
• Proactively identify needs and concerns associated with design decisions and communicate them to project leadership.
• Perform 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 the 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.

3‑5+ years of experience in Optical Engineering or a related field required.

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

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Draper is committed to creating an inclusive environment.