Optical Engineer 3-4
Company: Penn State University
Location: Freeport
Posted on: March 20, 2023
Job Description:
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
- CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service,
or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal
application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally
through Workday.
- CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the
university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to
Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not
apply here, apply internally through Workday.
- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click
"Apply" and complete the application process for external
applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
We are searching for experienced Optical Engineer to join our
Opto-Mechanical System Department of the Applied Research
Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State University, located in Freeport PA,
These positions will support High Energy Laser (HEL) and other
electro-optical (EO) system development programs. ARL/Penn State's
purpose is to develop innovative solutions to challenging national
problems in support of Navy, Department of Defense (DoD), and
Intelligence Community research, engineering and technology needs.
You will work with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and
engineers performing a wide range of applied research and
development projects involving lasers, sensors, and electro-optical
technology.
Responsibilities include:
- Design, assemble, and align opto-mechanical components and
sub-systems for state of the art HEL, imaging and EO systems
- Analyze and troubleshoot optical designs utilizing tools such
as Zemax, TracePro, Sigfit, MATLAB, and others accounting for image
quality, stray light, etc.
- Work with mechanical engineering teams to analyze performance
over temperature, vibration, and inertial loads and iteratively
modify the design to meet requirements
- Specify optical parameters and coatings for fabrication; work
with vendors on requirements and manufacture-ability
- Familiarity with laser beam and sensor performance in real
world optical conditions (atmospheric transmissivity, turbulence,
...) using physical optical modeling tools
- Integrate and test at the component and system level using
interferometers, imaging systems, and various data acquisition
tools
- Conduct field testing of optical systems at sponsor facilities
and outdoor test ranges
- Contribute to technical efforts in the development of a broad
range of novel electro-optical systems
- Contribute to desk/bench-top development, maturing technologies
through field-testable prototypes and transitioning them into
field-deployable products
- Support operationalization of techniques through data analysis,
lab experimentation and field-testing activities
- Assist in new concept developments; analyzing alternatives
independently and applying engineering techniques and procedures to
assignments
- Manage projects of small or moderate size and scope, making
substantial contributions
- Document you work through written reports, contribute to
preparation of papers and presentations, attend and present
research at relevant technical conferences, and network with
colleagues and customer base This position will be filled as a
Level 3 or 4 depending upon the successful candidate's education
and experience. Minimally requires a Bachelors' degree in an
Engineering or Science discipline plus five years of related
experience, or an equivalent combination of education and
experience for a level 3. Additional experience and/or education
are required for higher-level positions.
Higher-level responsibilities include:
- Assist in the development of project plans for new projects
with internal and external stakeholders by identifying issues and
solutions
- Provide technical leadership within the department for HEL,
imaging and EO programs and initiatives
- May chair sessions at technical conferences/meetings;
participate in external seminars, workshops, professional societies
and committees
- Independently manage multiple and/or large optical engineering
optics projects Required skills and experience includes:
- Five years or more experience developing laser and/or
electro-optical systems
- Hands-on laboratory experience with optical components
including lasers, lenses, mirrors, coatings, optical detectors,
cameras, and opto-mechanical accessories including lens and mirror
mounts
- Familiarity with optical design software packages such as
Zemax, Code V or Trace Pro
- Familiar with optical materials utilized for HEL and imaging
applications over various wavebands including Visible, Near
Infrared, Shortwave Infrared, Midwave Infrared, and Longwave
Infrared
- Familiar with optical instrumentation including
interferometers, spectrometers, and detectors
- Specification and integration of components for electro-optical
system development
- Familiar with laser diagnostic equipment, to include power
meters, beam profiling, thermal imaging, wavefront sensors,
etc.
- Familiarity with the concepts of atmospheric monitoring and
compensation
- Ability to clearly communicate, document, and present
results
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, as part of a
multidisciplinary team and adapt to changing requirements
- Eligibility for Secret Clearance
- Travel, at times up to 50%, will be required/expected to
support programs Preferred skills and experience includes:
- A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics,
or a related field is highly desired
- An exceptional understanding of opto-mechanics, atmospheric
propagation models and compensation concepts/instrumentation
related to high energy laser applications, such as beam control,
wavefront sensing, adaptive optics, etc.
- Significant experience with optical design software packages
and with opto-mechanical design techniques leveraging mechanical
design tools such as Solidworks
- Ability to design and optimize optical systems utilized for HEL
and imaging systems
- Ability to analyze and troubleshoot optical designs (image
quality, stray light, radiometry, etc.)
- Familiarity with motion control systems, as well as data
acquisition hardware and software, including Labview and
Matlab
- Ability to model sensor performance in real world optical
conditions (atmospheric transmissivity, turbulence, etc.)
- Knowledge of current optics fabrication techniques and
limitations
- Knowledge of optical component specification and subsystem
level requirements for vendors
- Experience developing and fielding optical systems for military
applications
- Experience specifying and integrating components for laser
system development for military customers
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, speaking
with ease to very senior and large audiences
- An active Secret security clearance with eligibility for TS/SCI
is highly desirable
Work location is at the Electro-Optics & Electronics Division in
Freeport, PA. You must submit a cover letter of interest and a
resume to be considered for this position.
ARL at Penn State is an integral part of one of the leading
research universities in the nation and serves as a University
center of excellence in defense science, systems, and technologies
with a focus in naval missions and related areas.
You will be subject to a government security investigation, and you
must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will
require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
ARL is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion; we believe
this is central to our success as a Department of Defense
designated University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). We are at
our best when we draw on the talents of all parts of society, and
our greatest accomplishments are achieved when diverse perspectives
are part of our workforce.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at
www.arl.psu.edu.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy
and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988,
Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire
Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and
institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those
concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of
crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for
review here.
Employment with the University will require successful completion
of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer,
and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all
qualified applications without regards to race, color, religion,
age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin,
disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use
our online application process due to an impairment or disability,
please contact 814-865-1473.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Covid-19 Vaccination or Testing Requirements
Penn State is committed to the health of our local and global
communities. As a condition of employment, all employees are
required to comply with COVID-19 vaccination or testing
requirements. Click on Penn State Covid-19 Vaccination or Testing
Requirements to learn about the requirements as well as general
COVID-19 information at Penn State.
Affirmative Action
Penn State Policies
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Freeport, PA
Keywords: Penn State University, Pittsburgh , Optical Engineer 3-4, Engineering , Freeport, Pennsylvania
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