Optical Engineer

About the Role

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), the applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology, is seeking an early-career Optical Engineer for the Photonics and Microelectronics Division (PMD) within the Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory (EOSL). This role involves supporting multiple projects through laboratory experiments, data modeling, and hardware construction. PMD focuses on advanced research and development in photonic/RF/fiber optic subsystems, integrated circuits, devices, materials, and spacecraft hardware for aerospace and national security applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Layout simple optical designs in optical modeling software per guidance from more senior engineers.
• Perform basic experiments, calculations, and simulations to assess optical system performance for various sensing applications.
• Conduct basic data analysis on the results of optical measurements and/or simulations.
• Perform literature surveys on research topics.
• Generate documentation of experiments and results.

Additional Responsibilities

• Conduct benchtop experiments in the optics laboratory using free-space & fiber optics, lasers, modulators, amplifiers, and common integrated circuits.
• Build and characterize RF subsystems with discrete components, common ICs, and apertures.
• Integrate GTRI custom sensors and subsystems into UAS, pods, and aircraft.
• Integrate off-the-shelf devices such as radars, communication systems, lidars, lasers, and sensors into functional systems and onto platforms.
• Design custom electronic circuits and circuit boards for project needs.
• Assemble and test hardware for cubesats, including vacuum and cryogenic systems.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Programming skills in MATLAB or Python.
• Skills in automation, interfacing computers with instruments and sensors for control/data collection.
• Enjoyment of careful, hands-on lab work.
• Experience performing basic electrical, RF, and optical tests using equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, oscilloscopes, power meters, signal generators & analyzers.
• Familiarity with semiconductor devices, theory of operation, and applications.
• Familiarity with principles of operation and understanding specifications for common devices such as lasers, lidar, or fiber optic comms links.
• Strong sense of curiosity in both technical and non-technical aspects of applied research. Broad interests and flexibility to contribute to different projects.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications

• Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited degree program relevant to this position will be considered. The candidate must have a graduation date of no later than May 2027.
• B.S. degree in Optical Sciences, Applied Optics, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics, or Microelectronics.
• Laboratory and computer skills as demonstrated in independent undergraduate projects, graduate thesis research, or laboratory internships.
• Ability to design a functional optical system, with advice and supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance.
• Ability to design a functional optical system, working independently.
• Expertise and experience with acoustic sensing using fiber optics.
• Experience and expertise in direct detection and coherent optical communications.
• Detailed knowledge and experience with one or more common electronic and optical devices such as radar, lidar, radio & fiber optic comms links, lasers, CCDs, imagers, focal plane arrays.
• Strong knowledge of radio frequency engineering, circuit concepts, microfabrication techniques, or device physics.
• Experience building subsystems with analog RF ICs, digital ICs, and/or photonic ICs.
• Working knowledge of microcontrollers & FPGAs and their integration into subsystems.
• Basic mechanical engineering or materials science courses to supplement more applied physics & electrical engineering backgrounds.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas to a non-technical audience.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

• Due to research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

• Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Travel Requirements

• <10% travel.