Optical Engineer AI&T, Space Imaging

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Anduril Imaging team develops state-of-the-art imaging systems across both hardware and software, deployed to tackle the most significant security challenges of America and its allies. The team is heavily involved in utilizing computer vision, perception, electro-optical, infrared, and sensor data to give our war fighters and allies an advantage.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Space Imaging team is seeking an Optical Engineer to focus on assembly, integration, and testing in support of a new product lines for spaceborne systems. In this role, you will work closely with an interdisciplinary technical team to own procurement, optical assembly, integration, and test activities as we mature prototypes into products.
Successful candidates will have experience building, validating, and delivering environmentally rugged optical systems in both prototype and production environments.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead the assembly, integration and test for novel optical systems
• Work with optical suppliers to procure optical elements, including regular status updates, technical oversight, acceptance test verification, and anomaly resolutions.
• Generate alignment plans and procedures
• Align optical systems with equipment including autocollimators, theodolites, alignment telescopes, interferometers, lens alignment stations, and various other mechanical methods
• Manage integration and test vendors to successfully scale production of complex infrared assemblies.
• Develop and review test setups, procedures, and data to transition products and systems from R&D to production
• Evaluate and analyze prototype and production optical system performance errors to determine root cause
• Interface with test and evaluation teams to qualify optical performance through lab, field, and airborne testing.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in Engineering or Physics/Astronomy required with a concentration in Optics
• 5+ years of experience with complex opto-mechanical systems, performing optical assembly, integration, and testing in the workforce
• Strong experience on free space optical systems integration and development for a space or airborne environment.
• Knowledge of how electro-optical systems are specified, developed, manufactured, and tested
• Experience with optical tolerancing, lens manufacturing methods, and drawing standards
• Knowledge and experience laboratory testing including optical component testing experience (spectral transmission, interferometry, etc.), optical system alignment, and testing (EE, MTF, PSF, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience in the integration, test, and performance requirements verification and validation of optical systems
• Experience in prototype and production development, including requirements validation
• Experience with optical design and analysis software (Zemax or CODE V)
• Data analysis proficiency in Matlab, Python, or similiar
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MS or PhD in Optics
• Demonstrated first principles approach to complex opto-mechanical problems
• Knowledge of image quality metrics and data analysis methods
• Experience with the test and evaluation of optical systems through thermally and vibrationally dynamic environments.
• Demonstrated team leadership experience and mentoring of junior staff
• Knowledge of common materials used in infrared optical systems and limitations of fabrication methods of optics (molded, polished, diamond turned)
• Strong optomechanical engineering background, with experience in lens bonding and retention, athermalization, and mount design.
• Experience with Zygo MX, 4D 4Sight, or Apre Reveal interferometry software