Instrument Engineer IV

About Science and Technology Corporation (STC):
Founded in 1979 Science and Technology Corporation (STC) delivers an extensive range of award-winning advanced scientific engineering and technical support services to the U.S. Government and Industry customers. Our provenexpertiseand experience span scientific research developmenttestand evaluation in areas such as earth and atmospheric sciences engineering datascienceand software engineering. Will you join our world-class team

• Employment Category:Full-Time
• Location: On-site (NASA GSFC)
• Travel:Some
• Security Clearance:None
• Citizenship:RequiresU.S. Citizenship
• Salary:$105000-$125000

Job Description:

Science and Technology Corporation (STC) is seeking a Senior Instrument Systems Engineer to providesenior technical leadership insupport of the FALCON lidar instrument being developed at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).This position will serve as the subject matter expert for optical etalon calibration and tuning activities supporting development testing and operation of the FALCON Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) instrument.

The selected candidate will work closely with the FALCON Optics Team Instrument Systems Team Instrument Management Team and avionics engineers to develop calibration approaches tuning methodologies and operational concepts that ensureoptimaloptical performance throughout instrument development and flight operations.

The FALCON lidar instrument is an Earth Science Directorate-directed mission designed toleverageheritage AOS ALICAT technologies while adding advanced water vapor measurement capabilities through Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) techniques. FALCON is being developed jointly by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC).

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Lead development of calibration characterization and tuning methodologies for optical etalon systems supporting the FALCON lidar instrument.
• Develop and document procedures for laboratory testing calibration and performance verification of etalon assemblies and associated optical components.
• Support development of algorithms and control approaches tomaintainetalon tuning and synchronization during instrument operations.
• Collaborate with avionics optics systems engineering and instrument management personnel to support implementation of calibration and performance monitoring capabilities.
• Analyze calibration data instrument performance trends and optical system behavior toidentifyand resolve technical issues.
• Prepare technical reports engineering assessments and presentation materials for project reviews technical interchange meetings and management briefings.
• Provide senior technical guidance and subject matterexpertiseto the FALCON Optics Team Instrument Systems Team and Instrument Management Team.
• Participate in hardware inspections vendor reviews and technical evaluations asrequiredto support instrument development activities.

• Minimum 10 years of experience supportingdevelopment calibration testing or operation of optical laser lidar spectroscopy or remote sensing instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience with optical calibration techniques interferometric systems etalons spectroscopic instrumentation or related precision optical systems.
• Experience developing test procedures calibration methodologies and performance characterization approaches for scientific or aerospace instrumentation.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering teams supporting flight hardware or complex scientific instrument development.
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading technical teams.
• Project Management: Proven experience managing software or research projects coordinating across multiple teams andmaintainingdevelopment timelines with specific emphasis on instrument calibration.
• Communication & Facilitation: Excellent interpersonal skillsrequiredto lead focus groups gather stakeholder requirements and clearly translate user feedback into actionable tasks for technical teams.
• Programming Languages:LabVIEWproficiencystrongly desired.

Education:

• Bachelors degree inOptical Engineering Physics Electrical Engineering Aerospace Engineering or related technical discipline.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off Starting at 80hrs/yr 11 Federal holidays and 40hrs/yr Sick Leave
• 401K with up to 4% employer matching contribution
• Comprehensive Medical Dental Vision Insurance Short Term/Long Term Disability
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Tuition reimbursement