Scientific Thermal Advisor

• Investigate and resolve alignment anomalies and structural distortions caused by thermal expansion and contraction during vacuum testing.
• Evaluate environmental and thermal vacuum test data to isolate root causes and implement corrective engineering actions.
• Guide optical and laser assemblies through full system-level integration and final qualification.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary engineering teams to assess hardware for thermal stability, reliability, and production readiness.
• Deliver decisive technical guidance to clear integration bottlenecks and ensure timely hardware delivery.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive background as an Optical, Photonics, or Laser Scientist with expertise in thermodynamics and opto-mechanical behavior.
• Direct experience solving thermal distortion and optical misalignment challenges on physical hardware.
• Hands-on expertise with thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing, thermal cycling, and environmental qualification protocols.
• Demonstrated success transitioning complex aerospace or optical systems from testing to deliverable hardware.
• U.S. citizenship is required, along with eligibility for a Top Secret clearance upgrade.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with space-based laser payloads or precision photonics systems.
• Familiarity with thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, ANSYS, or SINDA/FLUINT.
• Expertise in opto-mechanical structural analysis, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and satellite platform integration.

Required Skills

• Extensive background as an Optical, Photonics, or Laser Scientist with expertise in thermodynamics and opto-mechanical behavior.
• Direct experience solving thermal distortion and optical misalignment challenges on physical hardware.
• Hands-on expertise with thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing, thermal cycling, and environmental qualification protocols.
• Demonstrated success transitioning complex aerospace or optical systems from testing to deliverable hardware.
• U.S. citizenship is required, along with eligibility for a Top Secret clearance upgrade.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with space-based laser payloads or precision photonics systems.
• Familiarity with thermal analysis tools such as Thermal Desktop, ANSYS, or SINDA/FLUINT.
• Expertise in opto-mechanical structural analysis, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), and satellite platform integration.

Security Clearance

• Level: Top Secret

Travel or Schedule

• Expected start in late December or early January

Contract position On-site work arrangement Expected start in late December or early January

• Health and Financial Foundation — Medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts are described in the benefits page.
• Time Away and Flexibility Where Mission Permits — PTO, holidays, sick time, military leave, and flexible arrangements are supported where program and security requirements allow.
• Professional Development — The site references certification support, training, conferences, mentorship, internal mobility, and individual development planning.

About Footbridge

Mission

Footbridge Federal delivers engineering, cyber, mission IT, analytics, and cleared program support for defense, intelligence, federal civilian, homeland security, and research missions.

Culture

Mission Context Matters

Candidates should expect work tied to defense, intelligence, federal civilian, homeland, and research missions rather than generic commercial delivery.

Small-Team Accountability

The culture copy emphasizes ownership, communication, and practical execution across teams that work close to customers and program outcomes.

Growth With Technical Credibility

Career content supports hands-on technical growth, certifications, internal mobility, and program leadership without forcing one career track.

Benefits & why work here

• Health and Financial Foundation: Medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, disability coverage, and flexible spending accounts are described in the benefits page.
• Time Away and Flexibility Where Mission Permits: PTO, holidays, sick time, military leave, and flexible arrangements are supported where program and security requirements allow.
• Professional Development: The site references certification support, training, conferences, mentorship, internal mobility, and individual development planning.