Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering

Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering
Location: Rochester, New York
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite
Work Schedule: 9/80 Schedule
Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain a U.S. Secret Security Clearance

We are seeking an experienced Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering to join an engineering team in Rochester, NY. This position supports the development, analysis, design, integration, and testing of advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) systems for airborne and ground-based surveillance applications.
The successful candidate will contribute to the development of high-performance optical sensor systems, support new product development and existing product improvements, and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering, manufacturing, and program management teams.
This role offers an opportunity to work on complex aerospace and defense engineering programs, from initial concept and design through integration, testing, production, and product lifecycle support.
Key Responsibilities
1. Optical Sensor System Design and Analysis

• Analyze and design optical sensor systems for airborne and ground-based surveillance applications.
• Develop new optical sensor payloads for customer programs and internal research and development initiatives.
• Perform optical engineering analysis and recommend design approaches to meet technical and production requirements.
• Support conceptual layouts, product development, and proposal cost-estimation activities.

2. Optical Design, Integration and Testing

• Apply optical design, analysis, integration, and test tools and procedures.
• Support optical integration, troubleshooting, and system-level testing.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, optical tools, and engineering procedures.
• Support system testing and performance evaluation of EO/IR products.

3. Manufacturing and Production Support

• Provide optical engineering expertise to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Recommend design improvements and production approaches for new and existing products.
• Support products throughout the production lifecycle.
• Prepare and maintain engineering change orders (ECOs).
• Develop and maintain bills of materials (BOMs) and technical documentation.

4. Cross-Functional Engineering Collaboration

• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers.
• Provide optical engineering analysis and design support from product inception through released fabrication drawings.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, program management, and other engineering groups.
• Maintain technical relationships with relevant optical engineering groups, industry organizations, and academic institutions.

5. Technical Documentation and Design Reviews

• Prepare design specifications, engineering analyses, and recommendations.
• Present technical findings and design recommendations through formal engineering review processes.
• Ensure appropriate documentation and configuration control for optical designs and procedures.

Required Qualifications
Candidates must meet one of the following education and experience combinations:
Option 1 – Bachelor's Degree

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience.

Option 2 – Graduate Degree

• Graduate degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Option 3 – Experience in Lieu of Degree

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications
Candidates with experience in the following areas will be highly desirable:
Optical Engineering and Analysis

• MATLAB, Mathematica, Mathcad, or similar mathematical analysis tools.
• Optical sensor system analysis and design.
• Optical integration, troubleshooting, and testing.
• Optical part fabrication processes.

Infrared Technology

• Understanding of infrared detectors, including well fill, non-uniformity correction (NUC), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
• Understanding of radiometry, including radiant intensity and noise-equivalent irradiance (NEI).
• Experience using MODTRAN to model relevant environments.

EO/IR Systems and Testing

• Experience with systems testing of EO/IR products.
• Ability to work with algorithm developers and understand the interaction between optical hardware and algorithms.
• Experience supporting electro-optical and infrared systems.

Modeling and Simulation

• MATLAB/Simulink system modeling and simulation.
• Knowledge of stabilization, guidance, and control.

Aerospace and Defense

• Experience engineering aerospace products.
• Familiarity with airborne and ground-based surveillance systems.
• Strong mechanical and geospatial comprehension skills.

Work Schedule
This position follows a 9/80 work schedule:

• Employees work 9 days over a two-week period.
• Total working hours: 80 hours over two weeks.
• Employees receive every other Friday off.

Work Environment

• Full-time, onsite engineering position in Rochester, NY.
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Work involving advanced optical and EO/IR technologies.
• No regular travel requirement specified.

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is an optical engineer with a strong background in electro-optical or infrared sensor systems, optical design, system integration, and testing.
Candidates with aerospace or defense engineering experience, infrared detector knowledge, optical modeling, radiometry, and EO/IR system testing will be particularly relevant.
The successful candidate should be comfortable working across engineering disciplines, supporting manufacturing and production, preparing technical documentation, and contributing to complex optical system development programs.