Who We Are:

As a recognized leader in space science research and spacecraft instrumentation, avionics, and electronics, we work to reveal the secrets of our solar system and the universe.

Objectives of this Role:

• This position will lead the research and development of experimental, laser-based, spaceflight instrumentation enabling in-situ geochronology investigations across the Solar System.
• Work in multidisciplinary laboratory environment to design, build, and optimize novel spacecraft instrumentation for scientific missions to the moon and beyond.
• Spearhead the design, development, and hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of laser and mass spectrometry sub-systems from concept to flight instrument delivery.
• Collaborate with senior R&D personnel in cutting edge research involving pulsed lasers, mass spectrometry and high-speed data acquisition systems.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Work with scientific personnel to design, build, and test laser-based instrumentation capable of in-situ isotopic geochronology.
• Manage the daily operations of a state-of-the-art scientific laboratory containing Class IIIb/Class IV pulsed and CW lasers, ultra-high vacuum systems, high-resolution mass spectrometers, pressurized gases, cryogens and high-voltage systems.
• Lead the design, fabrication and performance validation of various optomechanical and photonic systems. Direct interfacing with external vendors to procure instrumentation hardware, system sub-components and laboratory test equipment.
• Typical duties will involve the formulation and implementation of approaches to solving a wide array of experimental flight hardware problems - focused on the design, assembly and control of mechanical and electrical systems for data collection.
• Experimental data collection in an optical laboratory environment. LabView data acquisition and control system development.

Requirements:

• Requires a Masters or a PhD in AMO Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related Engineering field.
• 4+ years: Demonstrated experimental work in a research or industrial laser laboratory environment.
• 4+ years: Experience working with nanosecond and/or ultrafast pulsed lasers. Must have comprehensive hands-on experience with oscillator and amplifier beam alignment, pulse characterization, and parametric tuning.
• 3-5 years: Experience in designing and building experimental test bed setups incorporating but not limited to: narrow linewidth tunable and pulsed lasers, electro-optic elements, acousto-optic elements, beam shaping optics, and/or fiber optics.
• 2 years: Experience in high-speed RF/TTL pulse synthesis, clock synchronization, and jitter control.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.