Optical Test Engineer

Travel: No

SAIC is seeking a mid-level Optical Test Engineer with NRO experience to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) services to a rapidly expanding Government Intelligence Community (IC) customer for a complex space and ground efforts as part of an exciting and innovative set of programs. This position supports a System Program Office (SPO) in a technical capacity for planning, execution, monitoring, and oversight of satellite system development and acquisitions that advance the National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO) space resiliency posture.

The optical test engineer should have technical and practical understanding of electro-optical and laser phenomenology and architectures to support advanced technology development programs of national significance to promote resilience to a diverse area of global threats. The Engineer will focus on mitigation technologies. The position will be responsible for understanding the current and future laser threats to space vehicles; modeling laser engagements; gathering, organizing, and understanding previous laser testing relevant to space vehicles; and be able to validate models against test results. The engineer must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and will work directly with the Government COTRs and with mission partners to coordinate and oversee testing campaigns, organize data, and develop mitigation techniques and technologies.

The optical test engineer will join a team of on-site SETAs working advanced technologies to enhance resiliency and survivability of space systems with responsibilities that may include but not limited to the following:

Supporting government on acquisition, source selection, and programmatic processes

Supporting Contract Officer/Contract Officer Technical Representatives (CO/COTRs) and Developers by coordinating with other technical domain Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and program stakeholders to achieve a detailed understanding of the systems, designs, and interfaces necessary to satisfy requirements

Supporting COTR with test planning and execution activities and briefing results to leadership

Participating in technical interchange meetings between developers and COTR

Required Qualifications:

Active TS/SCI with Polygraph

Bachelors and 9 years of relevant experience; OR Masters and 7 years of relevant experience

Knowledge of how optical systems are designed, developed, manufactured, and tested

Technical background in optical systems and space acquisition

Experience testing in Government laboratories

Ability to communicate very technical subjects to a diverse audience of senior decision makers with varying levels of technical expertise

Self-starter with the ability to recognize requirements based on the organization’s mission and vision and perform necessary work with minimal supervision

Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills

Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment