Optical Engineer III

Optical Engineer III

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That's our focus  ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you're driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you're ready for JPL.

The Instruments and Communications Division is known for the development and infusion of technologies that enable advanced flight sensors, instruments, and deep space communications. Our expertise spans the entire electromagnetic spectrum — from Radio Frequency (RF) through ultraviolet (UV). Our product line ranges from quantum technology and flight systems, imaging spectrometers, microwave radiometers, scientific radars, mass spectrometers and other in situ instruments, ground and space-based RF and optical systems, and innovative sensors.

We create novel material systems and fabrication techniques that unlock new concepts and mission architecture. We pioneer deep space communication theory, implement advanced communication systems, and develop navigational tracking to understand where we are and how to ensure robust engineering and science data return.

The Optics and Spectroscopy Section provides world-leading capability and expertise in a wide range of technologies that are crucial to the development of optical instruments. Section leadership and expertise are specifically applied to the development of sophisticated ground and space-based optical systems in the following areas: research and development of optics-related technologies; system architecture and concept definition; detailed optical system design for space-based and airborne systems, opto-mechanical design, analysis, and implementation;

optical hardware integration and alignment, test and calibration of optical instruments and systems.

We invite you to join the Optics and Spectroscopy Section to serve as an Optical Engineer III. You will be reporting administratively to the Group Supervisor of the High Contrast Imaging Group. This group specializes in the development of high-contrast coronagraphic systems for direct imaging of exoplanets including both internal coronagraphs and starshades. The group's expertise includes design, operation, and maintenance of world-leading testbed facilities;

design, integration, and testing of orbiting high-contrast instruments as well as ground-based observatory-class instruments; design of unique diffraction control components; development of wavefront sensing and control algorithms; development and validation of precision optical propagation codes and post-processing algorithms; optical systems engineering including development of detailed error budgets.

Tasks will include but not be limited to:

• Lead the starlight suppression modeling and model validation efforts in support of HWO and HCIT.
• Support coronagraph and telescope architecture and design trades for HWO.
• Support development of wavefront control and post-processing algorithms.
• Support optical systems engineering including development of performance error budgets and optical tolerancing.

• Support coronagraphic technology development for the High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT);
• Develop high efficiency modeling platforms for broad-band high-contrast starlight suppression systems.
• Document the platforms.
• Mentor team members in use of the modeling tools.
• Lead a team of modelers including prioritization of modeling tasks.
• Planning for model validation efforts.
• Optical design and tolerancing for testbed and flight instrumentation.
• Optical systems engineering including developing error budgets for components, subsystems, and systems.
• Plan and coordinate model development activities including cost and schedule.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related technical field with a minimum of 6 years of hands-on hardware work experience;
  Master's degree in similar fields with a minimum of 4 years of hands-on hardware work experience; or Ph.D. in related discipline to optical engineering and/or physics with a minimum of 2 years hands-on hardware work experience;
• Extensive understanding of fundamental principles, theories, and concepts of optical propagation.
• Extensive experience modeling optical propagation including polarization and wavefront control.
• Extensive experience in at least one common scientific programming language (Python, Matlab, C++, etc).
• Understanding and experience with high-performance computing platforms.
• Understanding of optical design tools such as Code V and/or Zemax.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred

Skills:

• Experience with interferometric optical testing, e.g. Zygo, 4-D, or Wyko
• Experience with alignment of complex optical instruments
• Experience with multiple common scientific…