Multi-Disciplinary Optical Engineer

SAIC is seeking a senior Multi-Disciplinary Optical Engineer to join the Space and Intelligence Business Group. You would work on a joint Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of Defense (DoD) crown jewel program providing highly specialized space/counter-space engineering, scientific, and analytical services from Aurora/Denver, Colorado. We support the Nation’s leading-edge IC and DoD space programs and offer compelling, deep-technical work that has direct influence and impact on program development and operations. Our team has Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) across a variety of disciplines, including physics, math, RF, optics, space acquisition and operations, and intelligence collection and analysis.

The Senior Optical Project Engineer will work in a collaborative team-focused environment of U.S. Government civilians and contractors solving applied technical problems and developing usable solutions for multiple space-related capabilities and threats. The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience with the performance of:

•    Ground or space-based optical or laser systems, the fields of photonics or optoelectronics, space object optical characterization, or optical data processing techniques 
•    Optical systems in Space Domain Awareness (SDA) applications 
•    Conduct projects focused on program-specific analysis, foreign threat capabilities and development, and phenomenology research 
•    Have experience generating new satellite models or adapting existing mission partner models for on-orbit simulation scenarios  
•    Be fluent with the synthesis and application of space object optical/electro-optical (EO) signatures  
•    Create/understand EO sensor models, lighting and environmental effects to simulate the space object detection, feature discrimination, and/or characterization by SDA systems
•    Be able to design, develop, and quantify results for satellite simulations that accurately represent the system state and have familiarity with post-processing techniques of optical sensor data that extract additional insights or translate the data into operationally relevant information
•    Possess knowledge of optical systems and their use in SDA 
•    Have experience with modeling and simulation of optical and laser systems such as LEEDR, HardShell or Helios 
•    Be motivated by problem solving and developing a range of solutions, over system development
This position qualifies for enhanced benefits.
Duties and responsibilities include: 
•     Perform program-specific analyses, understand foreign threat capabilities and development, and conduct optical and laser phenomenology research
•    Perform rapid prototyping of optical modeling and simulation tools of various fidelities
•    Design and edit satellite models and optical simulations to inform analyses and trade studies related to operational scenarios  
•    Develop estimates of space object optical signatures using physics-based methods or via similarity to existing data
•    Develop and refine innovative concepts for space laser systems and architectures, knowledge of advanced engineering principles and state-of-the-art technology.[DO1.1]
•    Create system Concept of Operations (CONOPS), considering operational trade-offs, environmental effects, and mission requirements
•    Conduct detailed assessments and analysis of space laser system performance, focusing on rigorous link budget modeling, system efficiencies, and platform-specific trade-offs.[DO2.1]
•    Ability to conduct link budget analysis, considering various system and operational parameters. Evaluate the impacts of different modulation techniques,  and photonics technologies on overall system performance.
•    Simulate SDA data of space objects that represent the sensor system’s spatial, spectral, and other capabilities under representative seeing conditions  
•    Quantify impacts and sensitivity to changes in CONOPS, scenarios and/or threats  
•    Develop and brief analytical results for stand-alone and broader assessment products  
•    Achieve detailed understanding of multiple satellite systems, designs, operations, and classifications in order to make design or CONOPS recommendations  
•    Develope and maintain in-depth knowledge of U.S. and Foreign SDA optical capabilities  
•    Frequently interact with program managers, SETAs, FFRDCs and external stakeholders  
•    Develop productive relationships with the Program Office, Prime, and Subcontract counterparts, functional IC or DoD counterparts, and other SMEs