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Directed Energy Optics Engineer
Job in
Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee, 37921, USA
Listed on 2026-06-11
Listing for:
Huntington Ingalls Industries
Full Time
position Listed on 2026-06-11
Job specializations:
-
Engineering
Systems Engineer, Electrical Engineering, Robotics
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Required Travel: 0 - 10%
Employment Type:
Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $76,283.00 - $
Security Clearance:
Ability to Obtain
Level of
Experience:
Mid
This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII's Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5
ISR systems.
HII works within our nation's intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners.
Leadership Mindset at HII - Mission Technologies
Leadership at HII is a mindset, not a title. Through our Leadership Capability Framework, we define how every team member contributes to our mission and culture:
+ Know & Grow Your People - Commit to learning and supporting team success.
+ Build Relationships - Communicate openly, collaborate well, and build trust.
+ Take Ownership - Deliver on commitments and take pride in your work.
+ Customer First - Focus on the mission and those we serve.
+ Shape the Future - Bring ideas, curiosity, and continuous improvement.
+ Act with Urgency - Take initiative and follow through with purpose.
These capabilities guide how all employees contribute to our shared success across Mission Technologies.
Job Description
Seeking an engineer or research scientist with expertise in directed energy systems, high-energy laser (HEL) engagement modeling, and computational simulation. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in physics, mathematics, and engineering with experience in target tracking, beam control, atmospheric modeling, and vulnerability assessment for laser weapon systems. This position combines research and development in directed energy systems with practical engineering applications in laser weapon engagement modeling and autonomous target tracking systems
Essential
Job Responsibilities
+ Develop and execute simulations for high-energy laser engagement scenarios, including target acquisition, tracking, and kill-chain assessment
+ Model atmospheric effects (turbulence, thermal blooming) and their impact on beam propagation and engagement effectiveness
+ Design and implement tracking algorithms including centroid tracking, active contour methods, and machine learning-based detection systems
+ Conduct vulnerability modeling to analyze time-to-kill metrics, aim-point selection, and power-on-target calculations
+ Develop simulation tools for beam control, tracking systems, and atmospheric compensation strategies
+ Analyze complex engagement scenarios across diverse conditions including variable backgrounds, clutter, and changing trajectories
+ Generate technical reports and present findings on system performance and effectiveness
+ Script and automate batch simulations to systematically evaluate engagement parameters
Minimum Qualifications
2 years relevant experience with Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Math or related field; OR 0 years experience with Masters; OR High School Diploma or equivalent and 6 years relevant experience.
+ Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and simulation software platforms
+ Strong understanding of quantum mechanics, wave propagation, and laser physics Quantum Tornado Research Paper
+
Experience with End-to-End Engagement Model (ETEM) or similar directed energy simulation tools
+ Knowledge of tracking algorithms, image processing, and computer vision techniques
+ Ability to develop and validate computational models for complex physical systems
Preferred Requirements
+ M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field
+
Experience with embedded systems and hardware development
+ Background in CAD tools (Solid Works, Micro Station, Abaqus) for system design and FEA analysis
+ Research experience in quantum turbulence, vortex dynamics, or Bose-Einstein condensates Quantum Tornado Research Paper
+ Familiarity with machine learning for target detection and classification
+ Understanding of vulnerability assessment methodologies for directed energy weapons
Technical:
+ + Simulation & Modeling: ETEM, Abaqus, atmospheric propagation codes
+ CAD/Design:
Solid Works, Micro Station, STM
32
CubeMX
+ Analysis:
Structural FEA, beam control algorithms, tracking fusion methods
+ Documentation:
Technical report writing, data visualization, results analysis
+ Programming: MATLAB, Python, VBA, C/C++ (STM
32, embedded systems)
Physical Requirements
May require working in an office, industrial, shipboard, or laboratory environment. Capable of climbing ladders and tolerating confined spaces and extreme temperature variances.
The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's…
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