Who We Are:

Ball Aerospace is a leader in design, development and manufacture of innovative aerospace systems.  We produce spacecraft, instruments and sensors, RF and microwave technologies, data exploitation solutions and a variety of advanced aerospace technologies and products that enable exciting missions.

Ball Aerospace is known for its contributions in support of space and Earth science, exploration, national security and intelligence programs.  We were also a pioneer in the development of the commercial remote sensing market, producing imaging systems and spacecraft that helped spawn a new market-driven demand for imagery.

Our projects offer some of the most difficult and exciting challenges in aerospace.

We employ approximately 3,000 talented engineers, scientists, technicians and support staff.  And one of the keys to our success is our people.  Our employees take great pride in their contributions to better understanding our planet and protecting the nation.

What You'll Do

Detector Engineer to fill technical and project engineering leadership roles in support of design, analysis, fabrication, test and operation of spacecraft / aircraft electro-optical systems for commercial, DoD and NASA customers.

Responsibilities include:

• Support the development of custom visible (CCD and visible hybrid), NIR, SWIR, MWIR (3 - 5 micron, and LWIR (8-12 micron) camera systems for high reliability applications.
• Define the system architecture and provide conceptual guidance in the design and test of low noise focal plane detectors used in high-speed video, LIDAR and scientific space-based applications.
• Develop system specifications used to specify, develop and design custom detectors.
• Work directly with detector and electronics hardware to demonstrate performance, to debug operational issues, and to characterize devices.
• Perform detector system analysis including radiometric analysis, MTF analysis, noise analysis, and radiation effects modeling.
• Work on cross functional teams including optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and systems engineers to develop and to optimize detector system performance.
• Manage cost, schedule, and system performance of internal research and development program and integrated product teams to meet program goals.
• Interface with BATC teams, customers and detector vendors.
• Lead proposal efforts for new camera systems and detector technologies.
• Support detector procurement activities and vendor selection processes.
• Support in-house reviews of proposals, concepts and detailed designs.
• Participate in evaluation and selection of additional engineering staff in all disciplines.
• Guide and mentor junior engineers to promote skills growth.
• Foster the industry-wide awareness of BATC engineering distinction by promoting BATC engineering participation in technical conferences and publications.

 
What You'll Need

Required Experience and Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR detector characterization, design, and system level integration.
• Demonstrated experience with modeling and performance analysis of visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR detectors.
• Experience reviewing detector designs and layouts.
• Experience developing and running radiometric tests on detectors.
• Experience with mechanical packaging of detectors and the associated thermal and contamination control design.
• Experience as electronics lead on focal plane projects or focal plane electronics design.
• Experience with low noise video readout design.
• Demonstrated management experience.
• Effective interpersonal skills including demonstrated leadership and team building skills.
• Ability and willingness to teach detector, detector packaging, and detector electronics skills to peers and less senior technical staff members.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and presentation skills.
• Hands-on electronics skills and electronic test equipment experience.
• Advanced detector integration, test and evaluation skills.
• Experience with detector operation in radiation environments.
• Experience with image processing and noise reduction algorithms.
• Experience with detector operation in a tactical environment and/or experience with "flight" hardware programs, i.e., "space-qualified" hardware.
• Applicants selected may be subjected to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Education:

• BS or advanced degrees in engineering, physics, or related technical field and twelve (12) or more years of experience in detector design, detector test, electronics design, breadboard fabrication and focal plane system test.
• In addition to the typical educational and experience requirements, a demonstrated capability to adequately perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position and exhibit the skills and competencies of the grade level should be considered.  Each higher level degree, i.e. Ph.D. may substitute for two years of experience.  Related experience may be considered in lieu of education.   

US CITIZENSHIP OR PERMANENT RESIDENCY IS REQUIRED
Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V