Physicist- Optics and Spectroscopy - Security Clearance Required

Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Summary

Battelle’s Defense and Materials Solutions (DMS) Business Line is seeking an Optics and Spectroscopy Engineer, Physicist, or Scientist in Columbus, Ohio .

This individual will guide and execute work in electro-optical sensor and / or emitter design and development and should have specific interest and experience in designing instrumentation for the analysis of optical phenomena and material properties.

The candidate will contribute significantly to advancing current systems as well as the research and development of future systems.

The candidate must appreciate a fast-paced environment, have a desire to take immediate ownership of large portions of system development, and be effective in a small team or individual tasking.

Responsibilities

• Design and development of systems from the feasibility phase to the production phase.
• Simulation of systems at the resolution required for a proof-of-concept phase up to the resolution needed for providing manufacturing requirements.
• Providing system use documentation and procedures throughout system development.
• Laboratory work to include optical bench development, prototype integration, and possible chemical or biological handling.
• Concept development of sensor systems that can be applied to detecting hazardous materials (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive).
• Experiment design and execution for testing developmental sensor systems.
• Working with teams of engineers and scientists to advance prototypes to products.
• Providing support for the interpretation and analysis of data, including supporting the development of automated analysis algorithms.
• Managing schedule and directing work to meet deadlines.
• Generating reports, test plans, presentations and other deliverable documentation.
• Potential for occasional travel to remote test sites for field testing.

Key Qualifications

• MS degree in physics, chemistry, engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum of four (4) years of research experience.
• Experience in experimental development and testing of analytical instrumentation (spectrometry, spectroscopy, or optical signal processing).
• Experience with and understanding of laser and light emitting diode emitters.
• Strong data analysis skills and experience working with large or noisy datasets.
• Experience designing and implementing unique laboratory or field tests.
• Experience in designing electro-optical systems for use in extreme conditions (e.g., wide range of temperature and humidity, high noise background, etc.).
• Experience with processing quantitative data sets, including familiarity with analytical software tools (Matlab, R, Python, C#, LabVIEW, etc.).
• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office applications for reporting and presenting results.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Sole US Citizenship with eligibility and willingness to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• An active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Ph.D. degree in physics, chemistry, engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience with Computer Aided Mechanical and / or Optical Design Software (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, Zemax OpticStudio, etc.)
• Minimum of eight (8) years of research experience.
• Experience working on U.S. DoD contracts.

Benefits : Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule : Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Take time to recharge : You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness : Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together : Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future : Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education : Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.
• Flexible work arrangements : You have options for where you work and when you work.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to :

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Collaborate with world-class experts in an inclusive environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and / or its clients’ requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated.

If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law.

Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives.

We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job.

They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members.

No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org / careers