Optical System Lens Design Engineer

Job Summary General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is a world leader in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) imaging, high energy lasers (HEL), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) and many other high-technology systems.

The GA-EMS Optical Technologies group has an opening for an Optical System Lens Design Engineer to join a high performance multidisciplinary Advanced Technology group proposing, designing, and fielding sophisticated electro-optical sensors for airborne and space-based (both civil and defense) applications in either San Diego, CA or Acton, MA. This Engineer will be responsible for selecting the best design forms (refractive or reflective) given program requirements, designing, analyzing, and optimizing the design form in concert with the requirements of the other team members. The team specializes in designing very high performance and innovative optical sensor systems, designed for both manufacturability and affordability; and this Optical System Lens Design Engineer will perform an essential role and be a key member of the team. The Optical System Lens Design Engineer will perform detailed tolerancing of the design in concert with Opto-mechanical, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Engineers, and the fabrication shops and will support the assembly, alignment, and test of the optical assemblies, including during on-orbit checkout. The sensors will cover the UV, Visible, and Infrared spectral ranges, and include both multispectral and hyperspectral passive sensors, as well as active sensor systems.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

• Design and analysis of the optical designs for a range of airborne and space-based electro-optical sensor applications as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team through a concurrent engineering process
• Design and optimization of both refractive and reflective optical designs
• Tolerancing of optical designs in concert with other engineering disciplines
• Preparation of Optical Design packages suitable for quotation by vendors, as well as interactions with prospective and current vendors
• Detailed Interactions with vendors and fabrication shops.
• Preparation and presentation of Technical Presentation both internally and to Customers
• Support the build, alignment, optimization and performance verification of optical systems

• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education
• Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
• Highly skilled in optical design using CodeV or ZEMAX
• Solid understanding of radiometry, diffraction, and polarization
• Solid understanding of designing, tolerancing, fabrication and testing of optical systems
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience working collaboratively with thermal and structural engineers
• Experience in assembly and alignment of reflective and refractive optical systems is highly desirable
• Experience using Structural-Thermal-Optical-Thermal (STOP) software is desirable
• Experience designing with freeform surfaces is desirable
• Stray light analysis experience (FRED, TracePro etc) is desirable
• Experience with MATLAB is desirable.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance