Research Engineer ​/ Engineering Physicist Jobs

Research Engineer / Engineering Physicist – Sensors, Optics & Experimental Systems

Location:

Alexandria, VA / Washington, DC

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Experience Level: Entry-Level through Senior (BS, MS, or PhD)

Salary: $80,000–$150,000 DOE

Security Clearance: U.S. Citizenship required. Ability to obtain a DoD Secret Clearance. Active Secret Clearance preferred.

Join Alaire Technologies

Alaire Technologies develops advanced sensing, imaging, and signal processing technologies that support the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. We are seeking motivated Research Engineers and Engineering Physicists to help develop, prototype, test, and validate next-generation sensing systems used in national defense. This position offers opportunities for both recent graduates and experienced engineers or scientists interested in experimental research, instrumentation, optics, electronics, and advanced sensor development.

Position Overview

The successful candidate will work on multidisciplinary teams developing advanced electro-optical, infrared, laser, and sensor technologies supporting ISR, remote sensing, and defense applications. Responsibilities include laboratory experimentation, prototype development, data acquisition, instrumentation, signal processing, and system integration from concept through testing and validation.

This position is well suited for candidates with backgrounds in experimental physics, engineering physics, electrical engineering, optical engineering, photonics, instrumentation, or applied research.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and test laboratory experiments and prototype hardware.
• Develop and integrate data acquisition, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Support development of electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR), laser, and advanced sensing technologies.
• Perform experimental testing, system characterization, calibration, and validation.
• Collect, process, and analyze experimental data using statistical and computational methods.
• Develop software tools for automation, instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis.
• Support sensor integration, hardware troubleshooting, and laboratory operations.
• Collaborate with physicists, engineers, software developers, and government customers.
• Document experimental procedures, technical findings, engineering analyses, and test results.
• Participate in laboratory demonstrations, field testing, and technology transition efforts.

Required Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in:
  Physics, Engineering Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Photonics, or a closely related STEM discipline.
• Strong laboratory, research, or engineering experience through industry, government, or academic research.
• Hands-on experience assembling, testing, troubleshooting, or integrating experimental systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• U.S. Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with one or more of the following:
  Electro-optics (EO), Infrared (IR), EO/IR sensors, Optical systems, Laser systems, Photonics, Instrumentation, Laboratory automation, Data acquisition systems, National Instruments, LabVIEW, Oscilloscopes, Spectrum analyzers, Signal generators, Embedded electronics, PCB integration, Sensors, Remote sensing, Signal processing, Digital Signal Processing (DSP), Image processing, Computer vision, Control systems, Robotics, Experimental physics, Prototype development, Systems integration, Hardware validation, Verification and validation (V&V).
• Programming experience with one or more of:
  Python, MATLAB, C, C++, LabVIEW.

Ideal Candidate Background

• University research laboratories
• National laboratories
• Defense contractors
• Government research organizations
• Applied research organizations
• Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
• Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)
• MIT Lincoln Laboratory
• Draper
• AFRL
• NASA
• DOE National Laboratories

Clearance Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Clearance.
• Active Secret Clearance preferred.
• Active Top Secret or SCI clearance is a plus.

Why Join Alaire?

At Alaire Technologies, you'll work on advanced technologies that directly support the U.S. Navy and national defense. Whether you're an early-career engineer looking to build hands-on experience or a senior researcher leading cutting-edge development, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, technically challenging programs alongside a highly collaborative team.