Senior Principal Electro-Optical Systems Engineer/Architect

As a Senior Principal Electro-Optical Systems Engineer, you will define the architecture of complex EO/IR imaging or non-imaging systems to accomplish customer-defined mission goals. You will be involved in all phases of system development, from pre-proposal activities through final design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, verification, and delivery, providing technical direction and leadership to integrated product teams of varying sizes.

 

Specific Requirements:

There are no direct reports to this position; however, you will be responsible for the oversight and direction of project-specific teams of engineers executing design development of EO/IR systems.  Specific responsibilities will include:

• Evaluation and shaping of customer requirements, assisting business development in defining the opportunity spaces in which future contracts lie.
• Development of the top-level system architecture of mission solutions, including optical and electronic design requirements, on-board processing requirements, platform interfaces, and CONOPS.
• Defining, executing, and overseeing system design trades.
• Interfacing with customers throughout the product life cycle as the lead technical representative of the product development team.
• Leading program teams, including other engineering disciplines and interfacing with program management, to develop optical system design concepts and decompose and flow down system requirements to lower-level assemblies and components.
• Preparing and presenting of material for formal design reviews and customer meetings.
• Defining and leading internal IR&D projects.

 

Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of relevant work experience or 10 years of relevant work experience with Master’s degree,
• Decomposition of complex systems into logical building blocks and the ability to develop the requisite error budgets and requirements traceability
• Evaluation and definition of the optical, mechanical, electrical, and environmental inputs into an EO/IR system and their influence on overall requirements compliance
• Program planning including scope definition, resourcing, and budgeting
• Proficient technical writing skills including proposal content, requirements specifications, verification matrices, verification plans, and verification reports
• CONOPS development
• Technical leadership of cross-functional/discipline teams

 

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in architecting and/or developing imaging system solutions for spaceborne missions
• Knowledge of EO industry technical capabilities (e.g., focal planes, electronics) for space systems, supporting architecting of EO payloads
• Familiarity with mission level performance requirements including: NIIRS (image quality), Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Minimum Detectable Target and/or geolocation.
• Familiarity with mission level phenomenology including Solar illuminated signal and thermal emission of objects and background/clutter and appropriate selection of spectral bands

 

Education Requirements: 

Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or a related field.  Master's degree preferred

 

The position is located onsite at our facility in Danbury, CT. Located in beautiful Fairfield County, Danbury offers a diverse economy, wonderful parks, cultural attractions, an impressive mix of private and public educational institutions and a vibrant arts scene. Our facility is nestled among a remarkable selection of communities to call home all with varying price points to fit many different budgets. We’re close to New York City, Boston, and other major cities – great for day trips and weekend getaways. Our lovely seasons along with award-winning institutions, colleges, cultural events, and a genuine sense of community brings a diverse population to the beautiful state of Connecticut!

 

Collaborating with world class experts, you will have the opportunity to develop innovative solutions in fulfillment of our customers’ requirements.  We believe in our mission, and we believe in supporting our employees.  We offer policies and programs that provide opportunities for continual learning, career growth and work/life balance along with a full suite of health and welfare benefits. 

Employment with any of the ARKA Group companies in the US is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check and drug screen.

 

Position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Security Clearance. For your information, here is the form the government requires to begin the process of obtaining a clearance: https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86.pdf

No sponsorship is available for this position.

 

ARKA Group L.P. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other federally protected class.