Optical Scientist

Responsibilities: 

• Working closely with a cross-functional group of engineers and technicians to design, integrate and test complex photonic systems and components incorporating lasers, fiber optics, electro-optics, non-linear frequency conversion and low noise, high sensitivity photodetection.
• Developing testing protocols to determine functionality and optimization or to establish limits of complex systems and subsystems and to ensure quality.
• Develop mathematical models of subsystems to predict performance, analyze performance and evaluate data.
• Conducting research on new photonic technologies and staying current with the state-of-the-art in the fields of photonics, rare-earth doped crystal hole-burning physics, and optical waveguides.
• Documenting the design processes including objectives, issues, and outcomes.

The successful candidate will have most or all of these essential skills or abilities:

• Ph.D. in electrical engineering, mechanic engineering, physics, or closely related field, or a Masters Degree and 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Detailed knowledge in the fields of atomic and optical physics, photonics and the ability to use these skills in both laboratory and theoretical (modeling) environments.
• Experience managing small groups of scientist and engineers in a research and development environment.
• Detailed understanding and laboratory experience with the following:
• Optical systems and methods including:
  • Atomic spectroscopy
  • Free-space and fiber-based solid-state and diode lasers and amplifiers
  • Non-linear optics for harmonic generation, sum- and difference-frequency generation
  • Electro- and acousto-optics for optical beam and optical frequency manipulation 
  • Optical frequency, phase and amplitude stabilization techniques for creating stable optical references
  • Optical spectrum analyzers, power/energy meters, optical signal detectors, optical fiber splicers

• Modeling optical systems with:
  • Zemax, OpticStudio, and/or Code V
  • Python and/or Matlab environments

• Electronic systems as methods including:
  • Oscilloscopes, rf spectrum analyzers, multimeters, pulse generators and general electronics equipment
  • RF electronics
  • Design, build and troubleshoot analog and digital DC-GHz electronic circuits as needed

• Computing systems as methods including:
  • Data acquisition and customized computer control
  • Microcontroller-based systems
  • Digital signal processing in FFT and Time domain with filtering

Desirable Skills & Abilities: 

• Professional work experience in optics, photonics, experimental science or in a related area.
• Professional work experience in a manufacturing environment. 
• Experience with cryogenics and vacuum systems.
• Experience with solid-state crystal physics, superconducting magnets, magnetic shielding techniques, rf electronics from DC-100+ GHz. 
• Maintain long-term datasets, testing procedures, validate testing systems, and continually assess measurement consistency and reliability across different boule growths. 

S2 Corporation’s General Employee Requirements: 

• The position includes working on U. S. Government funded projects that involve the handling of controlled unclassified information, requiring the successful candidate to have U. S. Citizenship.
• This position may include working on defense department funded projects with security restrictions, which may require a security clearance. The successful candidate must be willing and able to apply for a security clearance.
• The successful candidate will have to pass a preemployment drug test and background check.
• Be able to perform physical tasks around the lab and office spaces such as sitting and standing, each for at least an hour multiple times throughout a day, and occasional lifting of items up to 50lbs.  
• Attend required organizational meetings in person or through videoconferencing.
• Clear communication of your efforts so that others can reproduce your efforts as needed. 
• Efficiently use word processing, spreadsheet, time reporting, procurement and other software. 
• Ability to describe technical progress in project deliverable reports.
• Ability to assist in writing funding proposals. 
• Ability to interpret general guidelines and work alone for extended periods to efficiently move projects forward.
• Ability, willingness, and availability to travel to field test events up to several times a year, which may include driving company vehicles and working extended hours outside for several days.
• Ability to function as part of a team, that is highly collaborative, cross-functional and multi-disciplinary on multiple projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to communicate clearly with coworkers, through in-person conversations, email, and on line in organizational software, such as Microsoft Teams. 
• Ability to independently learn and apply new approaches and technologies in order to find solutions to complex problems.

The priority date for receiving applications is July 1, 2020, but applications will continue to be considered after this date. S2 Corporation reserves the right to hire none, one, or several candidates for this position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.