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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work additional information on remote work at Penn State seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are seeking an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to join our Electro-Optics and Electronics Division located in Freeport PA. This position will support our imaging and other electro-optical system development programs where you will work with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers performing a wide range of applied research and development projects involving sensors lasers and electro-optical (EO) technology. The mission of the Penn State Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) 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.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

• Be responsible for novel and complex optical designs from concept through deployment

• Design and tolerance optical lens systems to meet performance requirements

• Perform analysis to validate performance of optical systems stray light thermal MTF distortion vignetting etc.

• Collaborate with other team members on: opto-mechanical designs athermalization imaging sensors alignment image processing prototyping test analysis and evaluation.

• Support field-testing of imaging systems

• Contribute to proposals reports and presentations

Additional responsibilities of the higher-level include:

• Perform systems engineering project planning budgeting and scheduling

• Lead other engineers in day-to-day tasking to satisfy stakeholders requirements and expectations

• Provide technical leadership within the department for imaging and EO programs and initiatives

• Independently manage multiple and/or large electro-optic projects

• Develop and propose solutions for new applications

• Plan organize and lead field tests events

• Perform the role of Trusted Agent to the government to assess and validate state-of-the art EO systems and solutions from the Defense Industrial Base

Required skills and experience include:

• Proficient in design of optics for imaging applications including infrared

• Substantial experience with optical design and analysis software (Zemax CODE V Trace Pro FRED etc.)

• Knowledge of current coating and optics fabrication techniques and limitations

• Strong knowledge of optical assembly and alignment methods

• Good working knowledge of physics electro-mechanical devices and imaging sensors

Preferred skills and experience include:

• Design analysis and test of complete imaging systems

• Knowledge of various focal plane arrays types imaging sensors camera specifications and video interfaces

• Real-time image processing

• Radiometry (analysis and laboratory measurements) development of link budgets prediction of sensor response and image quality metrics

• Microcontroller programming

• Software tools for instrument control data analysis and image processing (LabVIEW MATLAB ImageJ Python Open CV etc.)

• Infrared systems design and performance test methods.

• Developing and fielding optical systems for military applications

• Laser systems

• Specification and use of optical components such as dichroic filters polarizers beam splitters lasers fast steering mirrors and shutters

• Lab instrumentation and tools such as oscilloscopes integrating spheres spectroradiometers interferometers light sources motion stages

• Statistical analysis tools and methods to establish measurement uncertainty

• Opto-mechanical design techniques leveraging mechanical design tools such as SOLIDWORKS

• Specifying using and tuning motion control systems

• Sensors for the measurement of physical properties (IMUs ultrasonic proximity photoelectric temperature etc.) and signal conditioning methods

• Designing to meet military or automotive environmental and reliability requirements

• LiDAR principals and devices

• Knowledge of machine vision algorithms and image processing techniques

• Security clearance preferred; current eligibility for access to classified information at the secret level or higher and maybe subject to government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility if required

Your working location will be full onsite located in Freeport PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

MINIMUM EDUCATION WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

ARLs purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific engineering and technology problems in support of the Navy the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intel Community (IC).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL visit our web site at .

Your working location will be full onsite located in Freeport PA. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary Structure - Information on Penn States salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional addition to comprehensive medical dental and vision coverage employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information please visit our Benefits Page.

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.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion age sex sexual orientation gender identity 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 .

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