Optical Systems Engineer - FREEPORT, PA

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are seeking an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to join our Electro-Optics and Electronics Division, located in Freeport, PA. This position will support our imaging and other electro-optical system development programs where you will work with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers performing a wide range of applied research and development projects involving sensors, lasers, and electro-optical (EO) technology. The mission of the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) is to develop innovative solutions to challenging national problems in support of Navy, Department of Defense (DoD), and Intelligence Community research, engineering and technology needs.

ARL is an authorized DoD Skill Bridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

Note: Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

YOU WILL:

• Be responsible for novel and complex optical designs from concept through deployment
• Design and tolerance optical lens systems to meet performance requirements
• Perform analysis to validate performance of optical systems – stray light, thermal, MTF, distortion, vignetting, etc.
• Collaborate with other team members on: opto-mechanical designs, athermalization, imaging sensors, alignment, image processing, prototyping, test, analysis, and evaluation.
• Support field-testing of imaging systems
• Contribute to proposals, reports, and presentations

Additional responsibilities of the higher-level include:

• Perform systems engineering, project planning, budgeting, and scheduling
• Lead other engineers in day-to-day tasking to satisfy stakeholder’s requirements and expectations
• Provide technical leadership within the department for imaging and EO programs and initiatives
• Independently manage multiple and/or large electro-optic projects
• Develop and propose solutions for new applications
• Plan, organize, and lead field tests events
• Perform the role of Trusted Agent to the government to assess and validate state-of-the art EO systems and solutions from the Defense Industrial Base

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Proficient in design of optics for imaging applications including infrared
• Substantial experience with optical design and analysis software (Zemax, CODE V, Trace Pro, FRED, etc.)
• Knowledge of current coating and optics fabrication techniques and limitations
• Strong knowledge of optical assembly and alignment methods
• Good working knowledge of physics, electro-mechanical devices and imaging sensors

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Design, analysis, and test of complete imaging systems
• Knowledge of various focal plane arrays types, imaging sensors, camera specifications, and video interfaces
• Real-time image processing
• Radiometry (analysis and laboratory measurements), development of link budgets, prediction of sensor response, and image quality metrics
• Microcontroller programming
• Software tools for instrument control, data analysis, and image processing (LabVIEW, MATLAB, Image
  
  J, Python, Open CV, etc.)
• Infrared systems design and performance test methods
• Developing and fielding optical systems for military applications
• Laser systems
• Specification and use of optical components such as dichroic filters, polarize rs, beam splitters, lasers, fast steering mirrors, and shutters
• Lab instrumentation and tools such as oscilloscopes, integrating spheres, spectroradiometers, interferometers, light sources, motion stages
• Statistical analysis tools and methods to establish measurement uncertainty
• Opto-mechanical design techniques leveraging mechanical design tools such as SOLIDWORKS
• Specifying, using, and tuning motion control systems
• Sensors for the measurement of physical properties (IMUs, ultrasonic, proximity, photoelectric, temperature, etc.) and signal conditioning methods
• Designing to meet military or automotive environmental and reliability requirements
• LiDAR principals and devices
• Knowledge of machine vision algorithms and image processing techniques
• Security clearance preferred; current eligibility for access to classified information at the secret level or higher…