Research Scientist for Directed Energy Beam Control

About the Role

We are searching for a Controls Research Scientist to join our exceptional team. In this role, you will support optical and directed energy programs by performing research, analysis, design, and development of control systems algorithms and software.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform scientific experiments, investigations, observations, and related research studies into the nature and operation of natural phenomena in a particular field, using the scientific methods.
• Develop theories for understanding, characterizing, and organizing natural phenomena into a systematic and meaningful pattern for the benefit of project advancement and emerging technologies.
• Support optical and directed energy programs.
• Perform research, analysis, design, and development of control systems algorithms and software.
• Manage wavefront control and adaptive optics.
• Develop advanced control and stabilization concepts.
• Control jitter/beamwalk.
• Manage target detection, tracking, and filtering.
• May participate in intellectual property evaluations and development of patent applications.
• May coordinate interdepartmental activities and research efforts.
• Proficient in AI prompting as it applies to this position and practice.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Experience with electro-optical sensors and/or optical systems or lasers.
• Fluency with MATLAB and/or Simulink.
• Proficiency in Software and Lab programming (e.g., Labview, C/C++ or similar).
• US Citizenship with the ability to acquire and maintain a government security clearance.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate genuine interest in the subjects.
• Eager to be mentored by a respected expert in the field.
• Ability to work effectively and thrive in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Strong communication skills.
• Excellent analytic skill set.
• Enjoy working in a dynamic and multi-disciplinary environment.
• Typically a related Masters degree with 0-3 years of professional experience, or a Bachelors with 2-5 years, or equivalent experience/combined education.

Desired Skills

• Masters degree in a related discipline, such as physics or engineering.
• Experience with control system design and analysis of laser or directed energy systems.
• Exposure to control of optical systems including adaptive optics, fast steering mirrors, gimbal systems, jitter/beamwalk controls, target acquisition and tracking.
• Knowledge of multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) controls and advanced control methods.
• Knowledge or experience with real-time implementation of control, real-time operating systems, FPGA, multi-core, and GPU based devices and highly parallel computation.