Fiber Optic Applications Engineer

Location: University Park

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

* CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

* CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

* If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

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.

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a Senior Fiber Optic Applications Engineer to join our Electro-Optics and Electronics Division within the Materials, Manufacturing and Sustainment Office at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University. ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intelligence Community (IC).

You would join a team advancing the state of the art in multiple areas of optical system development and manufacturing technology improvements, providing superior technical performance to enhance warfighter capability. This position works out of ARL's Freeport, PA location.

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

You Will:

* Perform research and development tasks into optical fiber applications. These include system-based analysis tasks as well as prototype development and testing

* Communicate and document results in reports and presentation

* Assist with development of proposals for projects

* Assist in new concept development; analyzing alternatives independently and applying engineering techniques and procedures to assignments

* Lead fiber-optic-related projects of small or moderate size and scope, making substantial contributions

* Engage with government customers to identify opportunities and provide potential solutions that lead to funded projects

Higher-level responsibilities include:

* Provide technical leadership within the division for fiber optics

* Chair sessions at technical conferences/meetings; participate in external seminars, workshops, professional societies and committees

* Independently manage multiple and/or large optical projects

Required skills and experience includes:

* Strong desire to innovate and create technologies that advance the capabilities of our customers

* Capture customer needs and create novel solutions

* Explain complex ideas in simple terms

* Foster new relationships by delivering relevant results on time and within scope

* Strong organizational skills

* Ability to multi-task

* Insight to know when and what should be delegated

* Product evolution from concept to prototype to brass board

* Fiber handling/splicing, lab equipment usage and preferentially, computer controlled-automation/data collection

* DoD industrial base needs in the area of fiber optics

* Inherently inquisitive and willing to learn new concepts

* Deep understanding of many aspects of fiber optics. Topics may include: propagation physics including linear and nonlinear effects, practical engineering aspects of fiber optics, including fusion splicing, connectors, cable routing, micro- and macro-bending loss effects, and mechanical reliability, communications theory including OOK, DWDM, coherent modulation formats, link budgets, Q budgets, dispersion budgets, and penalty assessments, free-space to fiber coupling including optimized optics, alignment techniques, and the ability to calculate fiber coupling efficiency

Preferred skills and experience include:

* A Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related field is highly desired

* End-to-end optical sensor development

* Current relationships with optical suppliers and familiar with the optics vendor ecosystem

* Business development experience with…