Senior Optical Diagnostics Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain a suite of advanced, non-intrusive optical diagnostic techniques for wind tunnel applications, including but not limited to:
  • Pressure and Temperature Sensitive Paints (PSP/TSP)
  • Schlieren, Shadowgraphy, and Background Oriented Schlieren (BOS)
  • Infrared (IR) Thermography for heat flux and surface temperature measurement
  • Flow visualization (Vapor Screen, Oil Flow)
  • Particle Image, Tracking, or Tagging Velocimetry (PIV, etc.)
  • High-speed imaging for model attitude and deformation measurement
• Drive the development of new diagnostic capabilities and analysis tools to advance the state‑of‑the‑art.
• Oversee the design and development of custom diagnostic, instrumentation and software tools.
• Direct the synchronous operation and data fusion from multiple, disparate diagnostic systems.
• Perform in‑depth analysis and correlation of complex test data to deliver a comprehensive data package to test customers and AEDC leadership.
• Lead and participate in test planning, execution, and reporting activities.
• Foster a culture of open communication, technical rigor, and continuous learning within the Team.

• Master's in an engineering or science discipline, with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct experience in an experimental aerodynamics environment, with a strong focus on aerodynamic testing and diagnostics.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with a variety of optical diagnostic techniques, particularly PSP, Schlieren/BOS, and IR Thermography.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams, manage complex test campaigns, and deliver high‑quality data.
• Strong programming skills for data analysis and test automation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing detailed technical reports and presenting findings to customers and leadership.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and have the ability to obtain a Secret security clearance.

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Experience with additional diagnostic techniques such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), or stereo photogrammetry.
• Familiarity with continuous flow wind tunnel test facilities like those at AEDC.
• Strong python programming skills and familiarity with camera and networking interfaces.
• Knowledge of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and its use in simulating and analyzing experimental data.
• Demonstrated success in developing and mentoring junior engineers and scientists.
• Expert on development of data (image) processing software.
• Leadership role on technical committee(s) related to optical diagnostics test techniques.

Founded in 2007, Canvas connects a passion for going beyond the expected with the knowledge and expertise to deliver what our clients need now and in the future. Canvas has been recognized as a Great Place to Work Certified ™, Fortune Best Small Workplace ™, Fortune Best Workplace for Millennia ls ™ (2022), Best Place for Working Parents (2022 & 2023), HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Awardee (2021 & 2022), Best Places to Work Awardee, 2019 Government Contracting - Technology Business of the Year, and Woman‑Owned Small Business of the Year (2018) by the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce.

To reflect our company culture, Canvas offers an exciting array of benefits that makes up our employees' total rewards package. Those benefits may include:

• Competitive Wages*
• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Generous company‑funded Basic Life Insurance
• Company‑funded Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• 11 Paid Federal Holidays
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Dependent Care and Medical Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match and 100% immediate vesting
• Tuition Reimbursement for ongoing training, continuing education, or advanced degree programs
• Robust Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Bonus Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Spot Awards for exemplary individual performance
• * Final compensation for this position is determined by a variety of factors, such as a candidate's…