Diagnostic System Engineer

About the Role

The successful candidate will work independently within a small multi-disciplinary team to drive the analysis, design, prototyping, testing, maturation, and manufacture of complex diagnostic systems. This role requires a deep understanding and executional experience in modeling and designing systems using tools that capture data from key aspects of phenomena. The candidate must be able to identify deviations in processes and communicate them to project leadership with clear courses of action. Experience evaluating existing experimental designs, analyzing mature designs for manufacturability, and developing tests to prove manufactured articles meet requirements is crucial. Professionally, the candidate should be organized, detail-oriented, communicate effectively, and collaborate with technical staff.

Job Purpose

This position supports the design, manufacture, testing, and operational phases of projects at Peraton Labs, the research and development arm of Peraton. The candidate will collaborate with a diverse team of engineering, scientific, and technical staff to develop novel solutions. The primary job location is Woodbridge, NJ, with occasional travel.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand and evaluate concepts, models, designs, and existing diagnostic systems for lab testing, prototype development, software simulation, manufacture, and validation.
• Interact with vendors to specify and procure custom and Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, including:
• Incoherent light sources
• Lasers
• Detectors
• Filters
• Camera systems
• Mechanical mounting components
• Engage subject matter experts to evaluate designs, tests, facilities, components, and related system items for fitness for use, design understanding, procedure efficacy, and test validity.
• Design and execute prototyping and lab testing to validate designs, test, and mature concepts.
• Create, read, analyze, comprehend, and generate professional-quality documentation.
• Prepare professional material, including presentations, simulation summaries, and analysis, for internal and external reviews concerning design, testing, and manufacture.
• Propose and review test procedures for complex optical systems to verify design objectives, performance, and manufacture.
• Generate supporting documentation and reports that concisely represent the system under test, objectives, and results.
• Summarize and present test results for review by Peraton engineers and customers.
• Support the development of proposal responses for contract opportunities.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Extensive professional experience working with and selecting appropriate detectors, coatings, and materials for diagnostic and data acquisition systems.
• Extensive professional experience with lab measurement equipment, including:
• Optical power meters (thermopiles)
• Photodiodes
• Camera systems
• Oscilloscopes
• Waveform generators
• Digital volt meters
• Experience setting up and executing tests using equipment such as:
• Steering mirrors
• Beamsplitters
• Lenses
• Filters
• Collimators
• Diffusers
• Detectors
• Experience drawing complete and representative models and experimental layouts.
• Proficient in writing technical documentation in MS Word and presenting it in MS PowerPoint.
• Experience with common diagnostic control, processing, and simulation software tools like Matlab, Simulink, and Labview.
• US Citizenship required.

Qualifications

Required Education and Work Experience:

• A degree in Optical, Physical, Nuclear, or Electrical Engineering (lasers and photonics), or specialized Physical Chemistry is required.
• Experience levels:
• BS with 5 or more years of experience.
• MS with 3 or more years of experience.
• PhD with 0 or more years of experience.

Experience must be with relevant work in a professional setting.

Desired Skills/Attributes:

• Ability to analyze designs to determine efficacy in modeling environments such as Zemax, 3DOptix, and MODTRAN.
• Experience with automated control of optical systems operating under harsh environmental conditions (e.g., nuclear, vacuum, temperature extremes).
• Familiarity with electrical and mechanical engineering aspects of diagnostic system design.
• Understanding of complex magnetic systems and their effects on system components.
• Ability to conduct a hazard analysis and document results.