• Typically requires a Bachelors degree, Masters degree or PhD in a scientific or related technical field and progressively complex scientific experience as follows; twelve or more years experience with a Bachelors degree, ten or more years experience with a Masters degree, and seven or more with a PhD. Equivalent scientific experience may be substituted in lieu of education • Extensive technical expertise in optical systems, EO/IR instruments, imaging systems, or related scientific disciplines. • Experience leading the design, analysis, integration, alignment, calibration, testing, and operation of complex optical systems. • Experience developing optical test methods, procedures, equipment, and support hardware. • Experience with optical data processing, modeling, simulation, and engineering analysis. • Experience translating system-level requirements into subsystem, performance, calibration, and verification requirements. • Ability to coordinate technical activities, meet program milestones, communicate effectively, and provide leadership to less experienced personnel. • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance. Preferred Qualifications • Spaceflight experience with optical payloads, telescopes, observatories, or complex imaging instruments. • Experience with visible through long-wave infrared systems. • Strong background in optical systems engineering rather than primarily lens design, including system-level performance assessment and requirements flowdown. • Hands-on experience with assembly, integration, alignment, calibration, and test of optical instruments. • Experience in optical metrology, interferometry, wavefront measurement, image-quality testing, and measurement uncertainty. • Experience developing calibration approaches, test methods, procedures, optical ground support equipment, and laboratory capabilities. • Experience with optical and imaging data processing, engineering modeling, simulation, and automated analysis. • Experience with radiometric, geometric, spectral, or image-quality calibration. • Experience with thermal-vacuum or cryogenic optical testing. • Experience with pointing, jitter, boresight, focus, line-of-sight performance, or STOP analysis. • Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar programming languages. • Experience with Code V, Zemax, SigFit, or equivalent optical analysis tools. • Experience with precision metrology equipment, including interferometers, coordinate measuring machines, or laser trackers. • Experience mentoring engineers and technicians and transferring specialized technical methods to broader teams. • Published technical work, invited presentations, or participation in scientific and technical review panels.