ENTRY-LEVEL OPTICAL ENGINEER / PHYSICIST

Imaging Technology Branch | Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Organization U.S. Army DEVCOM C5ISR Center, Research and Technology Integration Directorate Branch Imaging Technology Branch Duty Location Fort Belvoir, Virginia — Washington, D.C. metropolitan area Position Full-time federal civilian science and engineering opportunity; permanent appointment anticipated Classification Pay plan, occupational series, grade/band, hiring authority, and promotion potential to be confirmed by servicing Human Resources

The Opportunity

The Imaging Technology Branch is seeking a graduating senior or recent graduate in optical engineering, optics, applied physics, physics, or a closely related field to help develop the next generation of electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging technology for the U.S. Army. This position offers early-career scientists and engineers the opportunity to work alongside experienced government researchers, engineers, technicians, military users, industry partners, and university collaborators on practical sensor problems with direct mission impact.

The selected candidate will contribute across the imaging-system life cycle: translating operational needs into measurable technical requirements; modeling optical and EO/IR performance; supporting lens and sensor design; planning and conducting laboratory tests; analyzing data; documenting results; and helping mature promising concepts into field-relevant prototypes. Assignments will be matched to the candidate’s experience and will expand through structured mentoring and hands-on project work.

About the Organization

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center develops and integrates technologies that improve Soldiers’ ability to sense, understand, decide, and act. Within the Research and Technology Integration Directorate, the Imaging Technology Branch advances imaging optics and EO/IR sensor technologies for day, low-light, short-wave infrared, mid-wave infrared, and long-wave infrared applications. Work may include laboratory research, system analysis, prototype development, test and evaluation, and technical support to Army acquisition and research programs.

What You Will Do

• Support the design, analysis, integration, and evaluation of optical and EO/IR imaging systems, subsystems, and components.
• Translate user needs and mission scenarios into testable engineering requirements, performance measures, and evaluation plans under the guidance of senior staff.
• Develop and review first-order optical layouts and detailed optical models, including focal length, field of view, aperture, f-number, waveband, image quality, distortion, illumination, and packaging considerations.
• Use optical-design and engineering-analysis tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, MATLAB, Python, or equivalent software to model imaging performance and analyze laboratory or field data.
• Evaluate image quality using MTF, point-spread function, encircled energy, wavefront error, resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and thermal sensitivity, as applicable.
• Plan, assemble, align, and operate optical test setups using equipment such as collimators, interferometers, integrating spheres, blackbody sources, radiometers, cameras, targets, motion stages, and data-acquisition hardware.
• Characterize lenses, detectors, cameras, and integrated sensors for focal length, field of view, focus, distortion, MTF, boresight, spectral and radiometric response, noise, nonuniformity, and environmental stability.
• Support trade studies involving optical configurations, detector technologies, materials, coatings, tolerances, athermalization, stray-light control, size, weight, power, cost, risk, and producibility.
• Assist with prototype integration and troubleshooting across optical, detector, electronics, software, mechanical, and environmental contributors.
• Document analyses, procedures, calibration records, results, limitations, and recommendations in reports, briefings, and engineering data packages.
• Present technical findings and contribute to conference papers or publications when appropriate.
• Support technical planning, market research, statement-of-work development, proposal evaluation, design reviews, vendor coordination, and technical monitoring.
• Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams while maintaining laboratory safety, configuration control, data quality, and protection of sensitive information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree completed by the anticipated start date in optical engineering, optics, applied physics, physics, engineering physics, or another closely related scientific or engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• Coursework or project experience in geometrical optics, physical optics, imaging systems, radiometry, detectors, lasers, optical instrumentation, or related subjects.
• Ability to apply mathematics and physics to open-ended engineering problems and clearly document assumptions, methods, results, and uncertainty.
• Hands-on interest in laboratory work, instrumentation, alignment, measurement, data collection, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in writing, briefings, and collaborative discussions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team while managing priorities and project commitments.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain the security clearance required for the position.

Desired Qualifications

• Internship, co-op, undergraduate research, capstone, laboratory, or project experience involving optics, imaging, EO/IR sensors, cameras, spectroscopy, lasers, or optical metrology.
• Familiarity with Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, FRED, LightTools, OSLO, or equivalent tools.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C/C++, or a comparable technical environment.
• Understanding of diffraction, aberrations, sampling, MTF, radiometry, detector noise, signal-to-noise ratio, calibration, or uncertainty analysis.
• Experience with optical alignment, interferometry, camera characterization, infrared sources and detectors, optomechanics, electronics, test automation, or image processing.
• Evidence of technical initiative through research, design teams, publications, presentations, independent projects, professional societies, or related activities.
• Graduate coursework or an advanced degree in an applicable field is welcome but not required.

What Success Looks Like

1. First 90 days: Complete onboarding and required training; learn branch laboratory practices, tools, mission areas, and current projects; begin contributing to an active analysis or test effort with a mentor.
2. First year: Independently complete bounded optical analyses or laboratory tasks; produce clear, reproducible results; communicate technical risks early; and contribute effectively to design reviews, test events, or prototype demonstrations.
3. Longer term: Grow into technical ownership of imaging-system analyses, test methods, component evaluations, or technology-maturation efforts while building expertise in one or more optical or EO/IR specialty areas.

Professional Development

The position is intended to develop an early-career scientist or engineer. The employee can expect technical mentoring, increasing responsibility, exposure to multidisciplinary Army programs, opportunities to use specialized optical laboratories and modeling tools, and participation in technical training, professional societies, conferences, and continuing education as mission and funding permit. If the position is designated as part of the Defense Acquisition Workforce, the incumbent must meet applicable position certification requirements within the prescribed timeframe; the organization will provide guidance on required training and experience.

Work Environment and Conditions

• Primary duty station is Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The role is expected to include substantial on-site laboratory and team collaboration; any telework eligibility depends on mission, security, and organizational policy.
• Work is performed in office and laboratory environments and may require standing at optical benches, handling delicate equipment, using laser or infrared laboratory controls, and wearing required personal protective equipment.
• Occasional travel may be required for field tests, demonstrations, technical reviews, vendor visits, or conferences; anticipated travel is generally less than 10 percent.
• The position may require access to controlled facilities, information, equipment, or technical data and is subject to applicable federal employment and security requirements.

Application Information

• How to apply: Submit a résumé to Winona Esher, winona.c.esher.ctr@army.mil
• Recommended materials: Résumé; unofficial transcript; optional cover letter describing relevant coursework, projects, laboratory experience, and interest in Army EO/IR technology.
• Closing date: Open until filled
• Anticipated start: Summer 2027
• Questions: Ms. Winona Esher, winona.c.esher.ctr@army.mil