Acara Solutions is looking for an Engineer Optical for our client located in Plymouth, MN

• Designing optical instruments, assemblies and subsystems using optical and engineering design tool(s)
• Supporting the assembly, alignment, integration & test of optical hardware and associated fixturing
• Working with and managing external suppliers to enable delivery of critical optical hardware
• Working both independently and as part of larger diverse teams drawing upon a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines.
• Developing technical solutions to complex problems which require the regular use of ingenuity and creativity
• Perform an end-to-end optical lens design, analysis, tolerancing, and simulation using Zemax
• Attend and prepares materials for presentation during System Requirement Review, System Functional Review, Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review and System Verification Review.
• Support trade studies, system sensitivity studies, design optimization studies, system performance assessments, system design assessments, mission analysis and timelines, design for low cost, and concept of operations development.

Pay and Benefits:

• Bachelor's Degree in Optical Engineering or Optical Sciences or Opto-Mechanical Engineering
• Minimum of 9 years' experience in developing engineering solutions for EO/IR instruments, sensors and payloads, or high energy lasers & directed energy systems, or optical communications systems.

• Expertise in optical design of multi-element imaging systems.
• Familiarity with SWIR/MWIR/LWIR optical materials.
• Direct experience in the specification and testing of optical systems including working knowledge of optical test and evaluation equipment, and understanding of precision alignment & metrology techniques
• Experience working with and managing suppliers of optical components
• Familiarity with opto-mechanical mounting techniques including design for high-shock mechanical retention and CTE misalignment mitigation
• Familiarity with alignment sensitivities associated with free-space beam paths, coating performance, and stray light and thermal management.
• Ability to design optical systems and test equipment, including free-space optical beam trains, telescopes, adaptive optics assemblies, and focal planes, and diagnostics such as interferometers, wavefront sensors, and near-field, far-field and imaging sensors
• Experience with technical writing and proposal efforts
• Capable of preparing and presenting briefing packages to both internal and external customers, communicating technical approaches and findings
• Proficiency in one of the optical design/analysis tools such as Zemax, Code V, OSLO, Trace Pro, FRED or equivalent.
• Fundamental understanding of optical architectures from specifications and first principles (i.e. reflective, refractive, pupils, stops, or relays)
• Understanding of contributors to radiometric performance in EO/IR payloads

Additional Information:

• Upon offer of employment, the individual will be subject to a background check and a drug screen.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• Under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), all employees assigned to this client must provide documentation verifying their status as a 'U.S. Person', as defined in ITAR clause 120.15. A U.S. Person is a protected individual under the anti-discrimination provisions of U.S. immigration laws.