Principal Adaptive Optics Engineer
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- Serve as the technical lead for the adaptive optics system, from requirements definition through integration and commissioning
- Define system level requirements and performance budgets for fast adaptive optics, including wavefront sensors, deformable mirrors, real time controllers, and diagnostics
- Lead trade studies and architecture decisions for high bandwidth, low latency correction systems integrated into laser or photon beamlines
- Ensure system designs meet performance, reliability, and operability requirements
- Lead technical engagement with commercial and research vendors delivering adaptive optics components and subsystems
- Develop technical specifications, statements of work, and acceptance criteria for externally supplied hardware and software
- Oversee vendor design reviews, factory acceptance tests, and delivery milestones
- Act as the primary technical interface for resolving performance, schedule, and integration issues with suppliers
- Lead assembly, integration, and test of the adaptive optics system within the beamline environment
- Define laboratory and in situ test plans to validate performance and closed loop operation
- Work closely with beamline, controls, and laser system teams to ensure seamless system integration
- Support commissioning activities and transition to reliable operations
- Establish technical standards, documentation practices, and development workflows for the Adaptive Optics group
- Mentor and guide engineers and scientists working on adaptive optics and wavefront control topics
- Participate in hiring and onboarding as the group expands
- Education: Advanced degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field
- Experience: 8+ years of experience in adaptive optics, wavefront sensing and control, or closely related high speed optical control systems
- Demonstrated hands on experience working with laser beams, including propagation, beam quality, wavefront control, and interaction with real optical hardware
- Experience developing or integrating adaptive optics specifically for laser-based systems
- Proven experience specifying, integrating, and testing fast adaptive optics hardware and real time control systems in laboratory or operational environments
- Hands-on experience with deformable mirrors, wavefront sensors, and high bandwidth feedback control
- Proven ability to work directly with external vendors on custom optical and electro optical systems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reviews, requirements definition, and cross team coordination
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee of granted asylum
- Highly preferred: experience with directed energy systems, including high power or high intensity laser platforms
- Experience delivering custom adaptive optics systems from concept through commissioning
- Prior experience mentoring engineers or leading technical teams
- Familiarity with real time software, FPGA based control, or low latency computing architectures
- Experience in laboratory and operational environments requiring high reliability and uptime
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