Senior Optical Engineer

Summary

Join Slingshot’s Research and Development team as a senior optical engineer to contribute to the advancement of space security, safety, and sustainability. You will design state-of-the-art optical systems for space surveillance, model and simulate optical system performance, analyze and optimize system performance, and build calibration and testing procedures. This role requires a strong background in optical engineering and experience with optical design software such as Zemax. You will collaborate with the Field Systems team and engage with customers and stakeholders. The position involves leading projects, mentoring staff, and contributing to proposal writing. Location flexibility is offered with options for working in Fort Collins, CO, or remotely.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen eligible for government clearances
• Master’s degree in optical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, astronomy, or a related field
• 10+ years of relevant experience, potentially accounting for a record of academic excellence with relevant internship experience
• Experience taking optical designs from concept, through software design, prototyping, and fielding
• Strong grasp of Zemax or similar optical design software
• Ability to design optomechanical structures for lab prototyping and testing
• Effective programming skills for building simulations (e.g., Python/Matlab)
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to convey salient details about advanced technology in a compelling manner to both experts and non-experts alike
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time within and outside the United States to support customer engagements, technical exchanges, or sensor installations
• Tenacious drive to overcome challenges and deliver solutions with excellence

Responsibilities

• Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s core values, mission, and purpose
• Create novel optical system designs beyond traditional telescope systems to enable space surveillance capabilities that challenge industry norms
• Use optics design software (e.g., Zemax) to model system performance
• Build test benches for calibrating and characterizing sensor system performance for both optics (e.g., collimation, spectral transmission, PSF shapes, stray light) and sensors (e.g., quantum efficiency, pixel non-uniformities, read noise, angle of incidence sensitivity)
• Study system-level and network-level capabilities as they apply to space surveillance, considering radiometric modeling of the sensing system, atmosphere, satellite reflectivity, and the relevant illumination sources
• Keep on the cutting edge by exploring non-traditional sensor concepts and optical technologies (e.g., metamaterial lenses and event-based cameras)
• Develop algorithms and software to help automate and enhance sensor data collection and processing
• Support ongoing and future transitions of Slingshot’s products and services to the Slingshot Global Sensor Network (SGSN), space operations centers, and other technology testbeds
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes for their mission-critical needs
• Contribute your expertise and ideas to help shape our products and strategies
• Prepare technical reports and briefing materials
• Represent your team and Slingshot to a broader audience through papers and presentations to customers and stakeholders
• Serve as a technical expert and key contributor to Slingshot’s space surveillance technology development
• Lead the successful execution of individual projects, small team projects, and/or product development activities
• Share subject matter expertise through mentoring and training of other staff
• Take point in writing technical sections of proposals for winning new work
• Lead technical work on larger team efforts including cross-team initiatives
• Ideate and champion internal research & development activities
• Perform other duties as assigned (to be less than 10% of the responsibilities listed above)

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in optical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, astronomy, or a related field
• Experience with space-based optical design and relevant sensing challenges
• Experience developing algorithms for image analysis or optics calibration
• Experience managing thermal expansion in high delta-T environments
• Experience with designing optical systems for arctic climates
• Ability to design optomechanical structures for fielding systems
• Early-stage startup experience

Benefits

• Location: Fort Collins, CO, USA or remote
• Classification: Full time Exempt (learned professional exemption)