Senior Systems Engineer i Optical Ground SME

Readiness Delivered.iKratos is a leader in assured aerospace communication solutions and services. We are cutting-edge innovators and creative problem solvers working collaboratively to solve our customers toughest challenges. Our culture is fast-paced and innovative. We are a trusted partneridriven by doing the right thing and achieving maximum success for our customers, our partners and ourselves. KRATOS is seeking a highly motivated candidate who can provide SME engineering technical support for Optical Ground Terminals and traditional radio frequency (RF) ground stations. This engineer should have an understanding of telescope systems including but not limited to Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking, (PAT) to features that are unique to optical communications links, including Fast Steering Mirrors (FSM), Adaptive Optics (AO), Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFA). This person should also have an understanding of modeling of optical quality and atmospheric distortions including turbulence and scintillation. iiThis position is full-time and requires the ability to successfully work in a team environment. The successful candidate must be able to develop and model requirements, create system design models and documentation, utilize, and maintain existing analytical models, and develop new models. Excellent communications and interpersonal relationship skills are required. Will be working closely with system developers, test, and support personnel.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Optical Ground terminal SME
• Support SysML modeling as needed
• Analyzing customer/stakeholder requirements, decomposing requirements, deriving requirements, and allocating requirements to system and subsystem elements
• Develop documentation on all components of the terminal (Telescope, PAT, AO, Optical benches, and supporting computer systems required
• Support the development of training material
• Working in adherence to structured and defined development processes

• Experience modelling optical quality and atmospheric distortion
  
  
  
  • Fried parameter
  • Zernike polynomial
  • Strehl ratio
  • Rytov variance
  • Hufnagel-Valley model
  
  
  
  
• Understanding of common techniques to acquire a satellite including visible and IR cameras
• Understanding of systems to transmit optical energy to a satellite
• Understanding of usage, benefits and disadvantages of FSM and AO
• Understanding of site engineering of a telescope
• Understanding of weather constraints, when can the telescope be active, versus protected
• Basic understanding of modems and waveforms used for optical communications
• Experience generating link budgets for optical (and RF) links
• 5+ years engineering
• BS in SE, CS, EE, ME, or other engineering equivalent
• Familiarity with modern IT infrastructure capabilities to include virtualization, cloud deployment and containerization
• Extensive knowledge of Optical ground stations
• Working knowledge of space systems, including satellite ground systems
• Experience with military space operations
• Sense of ownership, urgency, and drive to accomplish results
• Current Secret Clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Experience designing the following:
  
  
  
  • Telescopes
  • FSM
  • AO
  
  
  
  
• Demonstrated knowledge with Optical systems
• Experience working within the Defense and/or Aerospace industry
• Experience in ground systems, system engineering, or software is a plus
• Experience developing system level models, requirements, and architecture in conjunction with discipline engineering teams
• Sharp analytical abilities, excellent communication skills, and capable of working effectively in a dynamic environment
• Familiarity with aerospace design and verification processes to include requirements development, validation and verification for conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design

#LI-Onsite

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Competitive salary based on experience and education
Salary Range: $130,000-$175,000

Kratos is valued for our ability to design and deliver leading edge, resilient solutions for aerospace communication, control, awareness and mission success across a continuum of offeringsifrom commercial to tailored custom solutions and integrated programs. Customers trust us to stay relevant and know we are in it for the long-haul. We bring both the capability and confidence that our customers value and depend on. And we always deliver.

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date. i