Sr Optical Engineer

Position: Sr. Optical Engineer



Location: San Diego, CA



Type: Full-time | On-site

Position Overview:

The Sr. Optical Engineer works with Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and customer teams to specify, scope, design, produce, and verify optics to mission requirements. They identify and help solve design challenges associated with the harsh environments of launch and operation in interplanetary space and during encounters with celestial bodies for both robotic and human spaceflight. The Sr. Optical Engineer manages subcontracts for optical parts, materials, coatings, and assemblies and the development of in-house production and test capabilities.

Essential Functions:

• Specifies optical systems for high-level mission requirements
• Completes initial conceptual and detailed flight designs of camera optics
• Manages glass availability through production lifecycles
• Designs for athermalization and stray light minimization
• Completes Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) Analysis
• Develops calibration plans to verify mission requirements, including but not limited to focus/MTF, flat field imaging, radiometry and spectral response, distortion/camera models, boresight alignment
• Writes performance specification and statements of work for optical subcontracts
• Manages subcontractors for performance of optical processing, fabrication, and assembly
• Presents at design reviews
• Prior to entering assembly, test, storage or development areas within the Camera Systems
• Group unescorted, receive initial and ongoing annual training in the fundamentals of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Physics; Masters or PhD preferred
• 8-10 years minimum of relevant experience
• Must have extensive experience using ZEMAX optical design software
• Familiarity with optics assembly techniques for space-based optical systems
• Experience with radiation-hardened optical design
• Experience with collimation measurement techniques
• Experience with laser interferometric measurement of wavefront error
• Experience with radiometric calibration
• Knowledge of visible and infrared sensor physics and performance limitations
• Experience with boresight alignment and metrology
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of clearly explain technical issues and ideas to peers, management, and customer representatives