Optical Materials Engineer

Overview: Cambium is seeking a collaboration-oriented, results-driven Optical Engineer with Test and Evaluation experience to join the optical materials innovation and scale-up team, bridging the gap between new materials discoveries and high-performance commercial and defense applications. Key responsibilities of this role will include generating test procedures and plans, preparing test readiness review packages, integrating a development effort, and executing qualification testing. You will also write qualification test reports and facilitate capabilities to achieve an advanced level of commercial readiness. This will require the ability to solve technical problems, both independently and as part of a team, in developing new products and new manufacturing processes for operation in an aeronautical environment.

These activities will involve extensive collaboration with mechanical engineering, product prototyping, business development, as well as supplier and subcontractor interactions. Significant aspects of the position include developing testing protocols; analyzing data; design and control of equipment; troubleshooting both R&D and manufacturing equipment. It is expected there will be opportunities to contribute to other programs of interest to the company including laser eyewear protection. As Cambium experiences rapid growth, the responsibilities for this role are expected to evolve.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Technical Expertise:

· Contribute to the design, synthesis and/or formulation of high-performance monomers, thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers for aerospace and defense applications involving optics

· Learn from system development and iterate for continuous improvement, while ensuring that the system scales well

· Generating and executing test procedures and plans

· Develops specifications and guides design of optical sensor protection

· Process and anlyze test data to write up qualification test reports

· Hands-on experience with optical and electrical test equipment

· Performs routine troubleshooting, test, and calibration in support of on-going programs

· Supporting subcomponent and subassembly integration

2. Operational Expertise:

· Communicate clearly and concisely key concepts, development status, performance outcomes, and lessons learned to senior leadership, investors, and collaborators

· Collaborate across multiple teams including world-class experts in biomaterials, polymer science, composites, optics, aerospace components, and defense products

· Can work independently and follow test instructions

· Understand current technology and pitch future enhancements and strategies

· Create and contribute to product demonstration and engineering teams in a manner consistent with Cambium’s mission and values and the growth of Cambium’s business

· Communicate (telephone/email/in-person) engagement with government and industry

· Able to provide clear instructions to technicians and work hand-in-hand on any testing

Qualifications:

· B.S. or M.S. in a relevant technology field (i.e., Optical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, etc.)

· 4+ years of experience in laboratory process or workflow development

· At least 1-2 years of experience in designing automated systems for chemistry or materials science applications

· Technical writing, proposal preparation, and technical presentation

· Strong communication and collaboration skills

· NOTE - Must be a U.S. Citizen due to clients under U.S. government contracts

Other Desirable Qualifications:

· Experience in sensor testing or free space optical set up

· Experience in aerospace test and evaluation procedures and protocols.

· Experience with python, matlab, or other coding languages

· Participation in the complete technology development cycle: design to field testing

· Experience in characterizing the physical properties of high-performance materials

· Experience in utilizing and integrating laboratory information management systems

· Demonstrated problem solving ability in a laboratory environment

· Maintain discretion when working with confidential and proprietary information

Compensation: $94K - $144K