Position Overview
QinetiQ US is looking for a new-grad optical engineer to assist with electro-optic/ infrared (EOIR) imaging sensor optical design, laboratory optical characterization, and prototype integration with a willingness to learn new skills to join our team.
In this role you will contribute directly to products and systems ensuring our Warfighters have overmatch against our adversaries and our Homeland is secure. You’ll support programs to provide our customers with capabilities like long-range optics for scout surveillance and fires support, body-worn EOIR sensors, fire control, and more— you’ll help provide the sensing capability that enables the ‘observe’ stage of the OODA (observe, orient, decide, act) loop.
You will work with Key technologies, including:
- Multi-band visible and infrared imaging optics including near infrared NIR, shortwave (SWIR), midwave (MWIR), and longwave (LWIR)
- EOIR sensors
- Tactical lasers, Class 1–4
Success in this role is defined as contributing to robust EOIR optical designs, assisting prototype integration, and collaborating effectively across engineering disciplines to transition systems into production.
Responsibilities
Assist our Sr. Principal optical engineer and others in the design and development of multi-band multi-aperture EOIR imaging sensor, lens, and laser optics for next-generation defense systems. Work with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support the entire product life cycle, from conceptualization, prototyping, validation, manufacturing, fielding, to sustainment. In this role, you will assist with and learn:
- Requirements Analysis and Specification Definition
- Decompose customer system requirements and performance specifications and define optical, imaging sensor, and display specifications
- Perform DRI (detection, recognition, identification) range analysis of multi-band electro-optical/ infrared (EOIR) systems
- Imaging Sensor Optical Design
- Generate baseline reference optical designs in Zemax or similar software
- Simulate laser parameters with Zemax or relevant software
- Select appropriate optical components to meet program requirements
- Laboratory Optical Characterization
- Utilize an optical laboratory to support development, testing, and prototyping efforts
- Characterize performance of EOIR sensors, typically broadband focal plane array type
- Test and validate delivered optical assemblies
- Construct test stations as needed to support program test and validation requirements
- Prototype Integration
- Build and integrate EOIR prototype subsystems, including cameras, optics, and lasers
- Perform precise alignment and bore sighting of optical components and sub-assemblies in multi-aperture multi-band and imaging and laser systems
- Transition to Manufacturing
- Document technical specifications and processes
- Transition relevant fabrication or test benches from the prototyping to manufacturing environments
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering or closely related discipline
- Understanding of multi-band visible and infrared imaging optics including near infrared NIR, shortwave (SWIR), midwave (MWIR), and longwave (LWIR)
- Knowledge of multi-band multi-aperture EOIR imaging sensor, lens, and laser optics
- Must be willing to travel (up to 10%) to support project needs, including to QinetiQ sites, customer sites, military installations, and other locations
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOD Secret level clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Coursework, lab work, or internship experience in optics for imaging sensors
- Strong technical writing and presentation skills
- Experience with relevant optical CAD software
- Prior internship or work experience, especially with a defense-oriented company
- Active DOD Secret level clearance
Pay Transparency
The salary range for this role is $74,850–$95,800USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. QinetiQ US considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.
