Job Description

Coherent Aerospace & Defense is a leading provider of cutting-edge optical technologies dedicated to enhancing various industries including aerospace, defense and scientific research. Our commitment to innovation and quality has positioned us as a global leader in the field of optical systems design. We are seeking a talented and experienced Member of Technical Staff, Optical Design Engineer to join our dynamic team and contribute to the development of our advanced optical solutions.

The Optical Design Engineer's function is to plan, design, analyze, communicate, and execute the optical design for high performance optical assemblies, and to determine the following:  (1) compliant preliminary and final optical designs, (2) optical sensitivity and tolerance analysis in coordination with mechanical and integration & test engineering, (3) document optical prescription and optical layout, (4) support fabrication, assembly, integration and test for 100% On-Time Delivery on program and (5) investigate, identify, and resolve engineering problems involved in the manufacturing of Coherent Aerospace and Defense (Coherent A&D) products and provide a smooth transition into routine production.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Contributes to formulation of department goals and organizational objectives.  
• Demonstrates ability to understand both technical and business excellence.  
• Sets exemplary example through promotion of commitment, energy, personal productivity, and mentoring; generates and drives individual and team enthusiasm, motivation, commitment, productivity, sense of urgency, and sense of task/project ownership. 
• Develops a cohesive work group; fosters commitment and enthusiasm; promotes cooperation and coordination between peer departments by working across the organization to effectively complete programs and projects on time.
• Represents area of professional and/or technical expertise internally and externally. May supervise the activities of others. Regularly and effectively shares and transfers knowledge and expertise. 
• Expresses ideas accurately and succinctly in oral and written form; effectively listens and assimilates; presents organized information in a timely fashion. 
• Reviews other team members’ work; write and review engineering reports; participates in proposal writing; ability to facilitate complex group discussions; can organize and direct effective meetings as required. 
• Directs, leads, coordinates and mentors optical design and analysis activities for Coherent A&D development program. 
• Works under consultative direction to achieve goals and objectives. 
• Responsible for requirements evaluation, trade studies, preliminary and final designs, and product manufacturability on assigned projects; determines methods and procedures on new assignments independently, and coordinates activities of other personnel; develops and releases optical documentation, and incorporates design input from mechanical engineering, integration and test engineering, and operations personnel. 
• Leads quotation process by reviewing customer drawings and internal quotations; lays out conceptual optical designs; works concurrently with integration and test engineers to ensure product concepts and designs are manufacturable and designed for test using existing Coherent processes; identifies technical risk and requirements compliance issues that require either exceptions or development activities. 
• Leads resolution efforts on technical issues as they arise during manufacturing, integration, and testing with assistance as required from project engineering, integration and test engineering, quality engineering, and operations personnel; identifies root causes of optical related manufacturing, integration, and test problems using analytical techniques; provides clear and concise corrective action reports. 
• Exercises wide latitude to solve high level problems while developing new processes to address future issues. 
• Serves as subject matter expert for the organization. 
• Collaborates with quality engineering on the development of qualification and acceptance test procedures.
• Partners with program management with technical advice and direction on assigned programs. 
• Responsible for identification of technical scope related to proposal budgeted. 
• Adheres to program financial goals and provides financial estimates and status updates to program management.  
• Fully supports program technical expectation and due dates for engineering on-time delivery. 
• Partners with business development activities through participation in customer presentations and proposal preparation. 
• Ability to lead the technical section of a multi-volume proposal. 
• Partners with advanced manufacturing development by offering insights and informed suggestions for new concepts from continuous learning and lessons learned experience.

Education & Experience

Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in optical, mechanical, electrical, or manufacturing engineering, optical-physics, or a related discipline.  An understanding of optical and mechanical manufacturing and test processes and the ability to apply engineering theories and concepts are essential.

• Minimum of 15 years of related experience in a professional role with Bachelor’s degree; or equivalent experience.
• 12+ years with Master’s or higher degree

Very experienced professional with a full understanding in multiple areas of specialization (see list below). Understands the customers' business and has an intimate understanding of the customer's needs; can accurately anticipate customer needs. Implements new products, processes, standards, or operational plans that will have impact on the achievement of functional results. This job is a significantly advanced level career position that also requires a successful technical committee review as a criteria for entry.

Skills

Critical Skills/Knowledge

• Lead conceptual development, detailed analysis, conceptual and detailed computer aided (e.g. Zemax) design of optical imaging systems.
• Mastery level understanding of physical optics, optical aberration theory and optical system performance criteria.
• Provide leadership on formalized optical engineering content for design and technical reviews throughout the program life cycle (SRR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, PSR, etc.).
• Experience with problem analysis and resolution. Extensive knowledge and expertise with extremely complex assignments that very few employees can master. 
• Demonstrated ability to achieve results independently or working with others.
• Ability to recommend and implement improvements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience with networked PC based computer system (MS Office, spreadsheets, access, graphics, Email, MRP systems, and accounting software).
• Make sound financial decisions on administrative or operational matters. Ensure engineering effective achievement of objectives.

Experience, knowledge and/or specialization that will enhance effectiveness in this position includes:

• Expert understanding of optical sensors and optical sensor technology, including the design and modeling of ultraviolet, visual and infrared waveband systems, optically passive athermal sensors, illuminations and projection systems using coherent and incoherent sources. 
• Expert technical knowledge of a wide application of principles, theories and concepts in the field of precision optical system and subsystem design.
• Define Coherent A&D process for optical sensitivity and Monte Carlo tolerance analyses.
• Mastery level understanding of Opto-Mechanical assemblies (Refractive vs Reflective, Visible vs MWIR, etc.).
• Expert resource for information about properties and application of optical materials: crystalline, glass, and polymer materials for refractive systems in the IR, SWIR, NIR, Visible, and UV portions of the spectrum.
• Expert resource for information about the applications and limitations with Anti-Reflective (AR), High-Reflective (HR), and filter optical coatings.
• Advanced understanding and hands-on proficiency regarding optical component or system test and metrology instruments, techniques, and performance testing, e.g. Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), Transmitted Wavefront Error, Surface Figure, focal length, encircled or ensquared energy, transmission, relative illumination, veiling glare, etc.
• Lead implementation of optical alignment techniques and optical alignment tools and metrology (interferometers, spectrophotometers, autocollimators, theodolites, measuring/toolmaker microscope, lasers, etc.).
• Lead and mentor other engineers on trade studies and engineering analyses of optical alignment and tests for optical instruments.
• Advocate for clean room protocols and processes and best practice associate with optical element cleaning, handling, and packaging.
• Lead Vendor/supplier sub-contract management including optics, mechanics, tooling fabrication, and optical coatings.
• Expert understanding of optical component or system inspection per typical standards, e.g. MIL-PRF-13830B or ISO 10110, including cosmetic or functional Scratch-Dig, particle or residue contamination, reflectance, transmittance, index of refraction, surface roughness, BRDF, etc.
• Advanced understanding of materials and mounting methods for opto-mechanical systems; preparation and use of primers, one- and two-part adhesives, and elastomers.
• Advanced understanding of mechanical metrology instruments and techniques and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing Knowledge of optical and mechanical materials and fabrication processes.
• Understanding of thermal, mechanical, vibration, and shock effects on optical systems.
• Mentoring other engineers and technicians in optical design, error budgets, error analysis, optical fabrication techniques, alignment methods, and optical meteorology tools.
• Ability to lead proposal activities and provides analysis, advising, and reporting on the feasibility of new projects.
• Develop technical scope, and engineering due dates, based on proposed budgets.
• Adhere to program financial expectations with the ability to guide engineering during program planning.
• Broad expertise or unique knowledge uses skills to contribute to development of company objectives and principles and to achieve goals in creative and effective ways.

Working Conditions

• Job operates in a professional office environment
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines
• Work in a cubicle area – must be able to work in environment where employees are on the phone / speaking causing potential distractions throughout the day

Noise level – Usually moderate

Physical Requirements

• Standing. Particularly for sustained periods of time. 50 – 75% of the time.
• Walk. Occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other employees accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Reaching. Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Use hands/fingers to type/handle.  Operating a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Grasping. Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Stooping. Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Lifting. Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations (ITAR), applicant must be a U.S. person, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8. U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State."