Engineer Senior - Focal Plane Test

at  BAE Systems

US CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED

We are seeking a Senior Detector Test Engineer to fill technical and project engineering leadership roles in support of design, analysis, fabrication, test and operation of spacecraft / aircraft electro-optical systems for commercial, DoD and NASA customers.
The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers’ missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

What You’ll Do:

• Support the development of custom visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR (3 - 5 micron), and LWIR (8-12 micron) camera systems for high reliability applications.
• Manage cost, schedule and milestones of internal research and development programs and lead integrated product teams to meet program goals.
• Work on a team, or lead a team, to develop the system architecture, the design and test of low noise focal plane detectors used in high-speed video, LIDAR, and scientific space-based applications.
• Work with detector teams, customers, and suppliers.
• Work directly with detector and electronics hardware to demonstrate performance, to debug operational issues, and to characterize devices.
• Perform detector system analysis including radiometric analysis, MTF analysis, and noise analysis.
• Work on cross-functional teams including optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and systems engineers to develop and to optimize detector system performance.
• Guide and mentor junior engineers to promote skills growth.
• Foster the industry-wide awareness of the engineering distinction by promoting engineering participation in technical conferences and publications.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company.
• Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site three or more days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 8 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master’s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• Related experience in detector design, detector test, electronics design, breadboard fabrication and focal plane system test.
• Demonstrated knowledge of visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR detector characterization, design, and system level integration.
• Demonstrated experience with modeling and performance analysis of visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR detectors.
• Experience developing and running radiometric tests on detectors. Experience with mechanical packaging of detectors and the associated thermal and contamination control design.
• Experience leading a small team (3-6 people) on focal plane projects or focal plane electronics design.
• Experience with low noise video readout design.
• Effective interpersonal skills including demonstrated leadership ability.
• Ability and willingness to teach detector, detector packaging or detector electronics skills to peers and less senior technical staff members.
• Effective communication skills and presentation skills.
• Hands-on electronics skills and electronic test equipment experience.
• Advanced detector integration, test and evaluation skills.
• Experience with detector operation in radiation environments.
• Experience with image processing and noise reduction algorithms.
• Experience with detector operation in a tactical environment and/or experience with “flight” hardware programs, i.e., “space-qualified” hardware.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS

• Degrees in Electrical Engineering or Physics are strongly preferred; Master’s degree is highly preferred.
• Current TS/SCI clearance is preferred.

• Support the development of custom visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR (3 - 5 micron), and LWIR (8-12 micron) camera systems for high reliability applications.
• Manage cost, schedule and milestones of internal research and development programs and lead integrated product teams to meet program goals.
• Work on a team, or lead a team, to develop the system architecture, the design and test of low noise focal plane detectors used in high-speed video, LIDAR, and scientific space-based applications.
• Work with detector teams, customers, and suppliers.
• Work directly with detector and electronics hardware to demonstrate performance, to debug operational issues, and to characterize devices.
• Perform detector system analysis including radiometric analysis, MTF analysis, and noise analysis.
• Work on cross-functional teams including optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and systems engineers to develop and to optimize detector system performance.
• Guide and mentor junior engineers to promote skills growth.
• Foster the industry-wide awareness of the engineering distinction by promoting engineering participation in technical conferences and publications.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company.
• Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary