Principal Engineer, Optical Systems

At Arete, we are on the forefront of utilizing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation's most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.

Discover your future with us.

The Optical Systems Engineer is responsible for the technical integrity, quality, and on-time delivery of the assigned products within our portfolio. He/she will be part of a multi-disciplinary team responsible for developing, testing, and deploying next generation of architecture and technology for our products. They will develop technical proposals and technology roadmaps and will also provide technical leadership in system requirements generation, hardware selection trade studies, design implementation in system architecture development, system partitioning, integration and testing of the overall system, and assessing unit or system performance. This position is responsible for the planning, preparation, and execution of all the design related gate reviews with the support from IPT Leads and functional groups. This position is based out of our Santa Rosa, CA office and is classified as a full-time, exempt, non-supervisory position.

We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer:

Generous PTO and Leave Times

• Flextime Scheduling
• Bereavement
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Parental Leave

Financial Benefits

• 401K Retirement Plan Contribution
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• Continuing Education Funds

Health, Medical, and Wellness Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental & Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Vision Reimbursement

Qualities We Look For

• Creativity
• Integrity
• Passion
• Responsiveness
• Collaboration

Experiences and Background We Look For:

• Lead technical proposals, including decomposition of customer requirements into unit or system architecture/design, technical writing, technical risk management, cost estimating, etc.
• Review, analyze, and understand program level objectives, system concept of operation, host platform architectures and interfaces.
• Review, analyze, and perform system radiometrics.
• Develop product architecture and define system behavior, requirements and parametrics. Using a range of methods and tools, capture stakeholder and system requirements, facilitate discussion and understanding of system usage, and enhance a culture of model-based designs.
• Collaborate with other engineers in the development of work products, including System Specifications, Logically Derived and Linked Requirements, Interface Definitions, System Diagrams, Systems Analyses, Trade Studies, and Detailed Designs.

Nice to Have:

• Experience with development of stabilized EO/IR sensors.
• Demonstrated leadership in guiding cross-functional teams through design trades while meeting program deadlines.
• Current Top Secret clearance.
• Experience supporting business development.

The salary range for this role is $205,000 to $215,000; however, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to: the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Other Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility. Arete will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

Other Considerations

Arete is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Arete Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.