Unknown Company

Principal, Analysis/Systems Engineering

rochester, monroe county, ny • Posted 2 days ago
Onsite Full Time General
Eoptic is a leader in advanced imaging and optical systems, delivering multispectral and digital solutions for defense, industrial, and commercial applications. We combine imaging products with software, ML/AIand complex system integration. Our mission is to integrate multi-modal hardware with purpose-built software to deliver actionable data. ‍
Our space business is rapidly scaling from first flight units toward volume production of EO/IR imaging payloads. We are seeking an experienced Space Imaging Systems Chief Engineer to own the technical success of every payload we deliver to orbit. 
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The Space Imaging Systems Chief Engineer is the technical authority for Eoptic's space imaging payloads, from concept through on-orbit commissioning. This role owns payload architecture, leads the optical, mechanical, electrical and thermal engineering teams, and drives key technical decisions to balance performance, schedule, and cost. 
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Eoptic is seeking an experienced engineer who has directly contributed to the design, testing, and launch of EO/IR imaging payloads. The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience across key elements of payload development, including telescope design, in-house focal plane readout electronics, IR detector integration, alignment, environmental qualification, and production. 
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This position reports to the VP of Engineering and works closely with the Director of Space Programs. The Director of Space Programs is responsible for program cost, schedule, and customer relationships, while the Space Imaging Systems Chief Engineer owns technical performance and execution. 
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Make the final call on design trades, managing the technical risk register, and approving all technical baselines within program requirements. 
Manage the design, tolerancing and stray-light analysis of the telescope and imaging optics, including monolithic and reflective designs for MWIR/LWIR and visible bands. 
Focal plane readout electronics: Manage development of Eoptic's own readout and camera electronics built directly around the imaging focal plane array. That covers the ROIC interface, bias and clock generation, low-noise analog front ends and ADCs, FPGA-based timing, data formatting and high-speed output, and power conditioning. Drive noise, linearity, dynamic range and frame-rate performance down to the detector level. 
Direct integration and alignment of focal plane assemblies with the telescope. This includes dewar and cryocooler interfaces, cryogenic flex and harnessing, and focus and boresight alignment. 
Radiometric performance:   Define and verify image quality and radiometric budgets (MTF, NETD, SNR, GSD, pointing and jitter). Environmental qualification: Plan and run thermal-vacuum, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC and radiation testing. Lead thermal and structural analysis (STOP) to keep focus and alignment stable across operating conditions. 
Design reviews and customer interface: Serve as the lead technical contact for customers and primes, and support proposals, SOWs and cost/schedule estimates. 
Design for production: Move payloads from prototype to repeatable manufacturing. Set alignment, test and acceptance processes that can scale to hundreds of units a year. 
Hire, mentor and lead a multidisciplinary engineering team spanning optics, mechanical, and analog, digital and FPGA electronics. Set engineering standards, configuration managementand documentation practices. 
Qualify and manage detector/FPA, optics, cryocooler and electronics suppliers. BS in Optical Engineering, Imaging Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field. 
~15+ years in EO/IR system development, with 5+ years as chief engineer, system architect or technical lead. 
~ Space-based   EO/IR: Direct technical ownership of at least one space-based EO/IR imaging payload through design, integration, environmental qualification, launch and on-orbit commissioning, ideally on smallsat or ESPA-class buses. That includes MWIR and/or LWIR imaging, on-orbit calibration and pointing/jitter performance. 
~ Hands-on experience designing or leading development of focal plane readout electronics: ROIC interfacing, detector bias and clocking, low-noise analog signal chains and ADCs, and FPGA-based timing and data handling. Deep knowledge of IR focal plane arrays, cooled detectors, cryocoolers and IR optical materials. 
~ Hands-on skill with optical design and analysis tools (Zemax/OpticStudio or CODE V) and with radiometric and image-quality modeling. 
~ Experience taking hardware through environmental qualification and formal design reviews for defense or aerospace customers. 
~ Proven ability to lead cross-disciplinary teams and to explain technical trades to customers and executives. 
~ S. export laws, and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. 

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MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Imaging Science, Optics or Physics. 
Airborne EO/IR: fielded airborne systems such as gimbaled turrets, ISR pods, targeting systems or UAS payloads, including stabilization and line-of-sight control. 
Experience building camera electronics around bare FPAs from vendors such as Teledyne, Lynred, SCD or L3Harris, and integrating complete cooled MWIR/LWIR cameras into a telescope. Radiation-tolerant FPGA and electronics design for space (e.g., GSFC-STD-7000 (GEVS), SMC-S-016, outgassing and contamination control, and radiation-tolerant electronics. 
Structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP) analysis with tools such as Ansys, Thermal Desktop or NX Space Systems Thermal. 
Active security clearance. 
Experience growing an engineering team inside a small, fast-moving company. 
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This position requires access to technology, materials, software or hardware controlled by U.Travel:  Up to 25%, to customer sites, suppliers and environmental test facilities. 
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Eoptic is a leader in advanced imaging and optical systems, delivering multispectral and digital solutions for defense, industrial, and commercial applications. Based in Rochester, NY, Eoptic integrates cutting-edge optical technologies to address today's most complex challenges, from design to full-scale deployment. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Principal, Analysis/Systems Engineering in rochester at Unknown Company

This position is listed as full time and onsite.

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