Opto-Mechanical Co-op-EOSL-Spring 2025 | Georgia Tech Research Institute

Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
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Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Job Description

GTRI’s Cooperative Education (“co-op”) program offers you extensive opportunities to participate in diverse scientific and technological endeavors, use state-of-the-art equipment and rapidly improve your technical and leadership skills. The program allows you to alternate three semesters of full-time work at GTRI with semesters of full-time school.

This job is for a co-op position to work in the Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems Division (EISD) within the Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory (EOSL) at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) starting in the Spring 2025 semester.

EOSL’s Opto-Mechanical co-op will work in a multi-disciplinary team of engineers to solve challenging optical remote sensing problems. Individual will be responsible for designing mechanical interfaces and fixtures, generating detailed drawings, performing test and analysis, participating in assembly and integration, and involved in the fabrication and procurement of custom components. Individual will work closely with:

• Sensitive optics and opto-mechanical components
• Lasers
• Motors and electronics
• 3D Printers and scanners
• Various hand tools and machinery (mill, bandsaw, drill press)
• Basic metrology tools (calipers, micrometers, dial indicator)
• 3D modeling and analysis

EISD’s research is performed in all areas of the imaging chain. From basic geometric/radiometric modeling and analysis, through design and fabrication, to test and evaluation in the field, our team provides subject matter expertise to our customers in order to solve their most challenging problems. Our portfolio consists of research programs in and related to the following application areas: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); Undersea Warfare; Atmospheric Optics; Tactical Imaging, e.g. Degraded Visual Environments (DVE); Automatic Target Recognition; Intelligence Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED); Free-space Optical Communications; Space Situational Awareness (SSA); Tagging, Tracking, and Locating (TTL); Remote Sensing; etc.

Required Minimum Qualifications

Co-op

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Sciences and Engineering (Optics and Optomechanics track), or related discipline
• 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
• Must be eligible to be approved by your college/university to participate in a co-op program and register for co-op credit with your university during work terms
• Must be able to complete at least three full-time co-op terms (alternating three terms of full-time work at GTRI with semesters of full-time school) prior to graduation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in MATLAB or Python
• Task / team leadership experience
• Strong math skills and ability to learn complex engineering concepts
• Familiarity with MS Office suite
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD tool
• Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas to non-technically
• Experience with lidar and/or remote sensing instrumentation
• Experience with optical detectors and testing equipment

Hours per Week

40 hours per week

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the US federal government, candidates for this position are required to be US Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

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

Housing and Relocation

Housing and relocation assistance are not available for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

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USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.