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SAIC · 2 weeks ago

Photonics Engineer

Chantilly, VA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

16+ years exp

SAIC is a leading company in the Space and Intelligence sector, currently seeking a Photonics Engineer to support Department of Defense initiatives. The role involves overseeing the design, development, and integration of photonics payloads, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and collaborating with various stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Information TechnologySecurityService IndustrySoftware

Work & Life Balance

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Serve as the Program Office technical lead for design, development and integration of state-of-the art photonics payloads

Collaborate with customers to develop and implement systems by providing technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle to ensure alignment with mission objectives and timelines

Translate mission requirements into detailed technical specifications and perform system- and element-level trade studies to optimize performance, cost, and risk

Oversee prime contractors’ development and develop productive relationships with development contractor counterparts to ensure systems meet customer requirements, risk tolerance, budget, and schedule

Provide technical and cost assessment of vendor proposals, review technical reports, design artifacts and program plans

Evaluate prime contractor performance at milestone reviews by analyzing compliance with technical requirements, and quality of deliverables. Offer recommendations to improve project outcomes and likelihood of success

Develop advocacy and outreach briefings for Air Force and DoD senior leadership

Track and report progress at multiple levels of Contractor and Government leadership

Create models, simulations, and analysis tools to model system performance and mission effectiveness

Qualification

Photonics systems expertiseOpticsEngineering principlesTechnical oversightIntelligence Community experienceAnalytical problem-solvingBriefingEffective communicationInterpersonal skillsWriting skills

Required

Must possess an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph

BS or MS degree in Engineering, 18 years w/Bachelors; 16 years with Masters

Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills, including ability to communicate to a diverse audience of senior decision makers with varying levels of programmatic and technical expertise

Experience with the Intelligence Community and/or the Department of Defense Program Office best practices

Technical proficiency in physics, optics and engineering principles, including a subset of the following: Expertise with free-space, optical fiber and integrated optical/photonics devices; Knowledge of electromagnetic theory, basic spectroscopy, and non-linear optics; Understanding of radiometry and light interaction with materials; Practical experience in handling and operating photonics systems; Analytical and problem-solving abilities to troubleshoot and optimize performance; Experience with environmental qualification of photonics assemblies and components

Effective interpersonal skills (across multiple groups, offices, and organizations) and strong briefing and writing skills

Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment with no supervision