Optical assistant Jobs in Alexandria, VA

Company Overview

We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR).

QinetiQ US’s dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend.

Why Join QinetiQ US?

If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems. In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives.

Position Overview

QinetiQ US is seeking an entry-level or early-career Optical Engineer to join our engineering team supporting the design, development, testing, and evaluation of prototype optical C5ISR systems and Advanced Electro-Optical Counter-Countermeasures (EOCCM) technologies. This is a full-time, onsite position located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The selected candidate will contribute to the research, development, and evaluation of InfraRed (IR) and Electro-Optic (EO) devices operating across the Visible (VIS), Near IR (NIR), Short-Wave IR (SWIR), Mid-Wave IR (MWIR), and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) portions of the EO/IR spectrum, as well as threat warning sensors and advanced EOCCM solutions.

Responsibilities

• Working with senior engineering and scientific staff, contribute to the design, assembly, and/or testing of new and legacy optical designs and optical systems from prototype to production
• Support the development, testing, and evaluation of IR and EO devices operating in the VIS, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR wavebands, including MWIR/LWIR and VISNIR/SWIR Threat Warning Sensors
• Provide technical support for EOCCM evaluation across Visible Camera (Day TV), Image Intensifier (I?), Digital Image Intensifier (I?TV), SWIR, cooled and uncooled detectors, Dewars, sensors, and camera evaluation activities
• Support research and development of advanced Low Optical Cross Section (OCS) sensor technologies, including Day TV, I?, I?TV, SWIR, NIR, MWIR, LWIR, and dual-band or multi-band sensor configurations
• Support research and development of Anti-Jamming techniques and laser damage protection methods
• Procure sensors and perform laboratory testing, characterization, and field testing of advanced EO/IR camera sensors operating in Ultraviolet, Visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR wavebands, including multi-band camera sensors
• Plan and carry out optical test, calibration, and characterization with legacy instruments and procedures; carry out possible upgrades; and design and develop new instruments and methods as needed for prototype and production
• Plan, test, and characterize the performance of both legacy and new imaging systems
• Support test and evaluation activities by characterizing components and systems in the laboratory and in the field, including preparation of test plans and test reports in accordance with applicable Data Item Descriptions (DIDs) and Scientific and Technical Report requirements
• Communicate, collaborate, and operate within multidisciplinary teams, working with hardware and software engineers to design, develop, assemble, test, and optimize function of the finished product
• Develop and write specifications, assembly, and/or test procedures for optical components, modules, and sub-systems to support product from lab to manufacturing
• Assist in maturing prototype designs into low-rate production
• Work within customer-driven performance, test, manufacturing, cost, and schedule constraints
• Apply a strong understanding of optics and physics, including the ability to model optical sensor performance from ray-tracing to radiometry to MTF and SNR

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering or a similar engineering-related discipline with 2–5 years of related experience, or a Master's degree in the same with 0–2 years of related experience
• Experience with lens and imaging system design, analysis, and/or assembly
• Ability to perform hands-on assembly and testing of optical devices, instruments, and systems, from prototype to low-rate production
• Ability to transition optical devices, instruments, and systems to manufacturing
• Some experience in optics manufacturing, whether prototype or production
• Current experience with Zemax optical design software
• Current experience with Python or similar instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis software
• An enjoyment for a wide variety of tasking, from design, analysis, and technical writing to hands-on lab work
• Must have an active DoD Secret or higher clearance #qinetiqclearedjob

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in imaging science and analysis
• Experience with VIS, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and/or LWIR imaging systems, including dual-band and multi-band sensor configurations
• Experience with imaging system assembly, test, and/or calibration, including cooled and uncooled detector technologies, Dewars, and sensor characterization
• Experience with EOCCM technologies, threat warning sensors, Image Intensifiers (I?/I?TV), or Low Optical Cross Section (OCS) sensor development
• Familiarity with Anti-Jamming techniques and/or laser damage protection methods
• Experience with laboratory and field testing of EO/IR sensors and systems
• Experience with machining, mechanical design, electronics, electronic design, and/or building scientific instruments
• Experience with lasers and/or a variety of optical components and instruments
• Experience preparing test plans, test reports, and scientific and technical documentation
• A passion for optical devices of all kinds, from large-format cameras and microscopes to astronomical telescopes and/or heads-up displays

Company EEO Statement