Part-Time
Fiber-Optic Applications Research and Development Engineer
Multiple Teams
Updated on 9/12/2026
Pennsylvania State University
Land-grant university in University Park, PA
No salary listed
No H1B Sponsorship
Freeport, PA, USA
Hybrid
Hybrid work includes on-site work in Freeport, Pennsylvania.
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required
Bachelor's, Master's
Category
 Electrical Engineering (1) |
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Requirements
- A technical bachelor's degree in a related field such as Physics, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering and a minimum of ten years of experience managing fiber-optic, photonic, or related projects.
- Experience working on and managing projects for Department of Defense applications.
- Broad understanding of photonic and fiber design options as they relate to Department of Defense system applications.
- Knowledge of network architectures, communication protocols, sensors and sensor systems, optical transmission, materials, and devices.
- Knowledge of prototyping, packaging, demonstration, and characterization of photonics components and systems.
- Knowledge of developing trends in optical communications, sensors, security, and computing.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated success transitioning technology from the laboratory to implementation.
- Eligibility to obtain a government security clearance.
- Ability to participate in the Applied Research Laboratory drug testing program and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors.
- U.S. citizenship.
Responsibilities
- Perform research and development tasks in fiber-optical applications, including system-based analysis, prototype development, and testing.
- Communicate and document results in reports and presentations.
- Assist with development of project proposals.
- Assist in developing new concepts, analyzing alternatives independently, and applying engineering techniques and procedures to assignments.
- Lead fiber-optic-related projects of small or moderate size and scope, making substantial contributions.
- Engage with government customers to identify opportunities and provide potential solutions that lead to funded projects.
- Coordinate research and development activities between disciplines, including exploring subject areas, defining scope, selecting problems for investigation, and developing novel concepts and approaches.
- Devise, plan, and lead projects involving extremely complex problems that affect current product design or broad design issues for future products or technologies.
- Propose and lead new initiatives, guide programs of national or international significance, identify future problems, research trends and opportunities, and direct or participate in major proposal preparation and presentation.
Desired Qualifications
- A master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related field.
- Systems engineering-related skills, experience, or training.
- Current relationships with optical suppliers and familiarity with the optics vendor ecosystem.
- Business development experience with government customers.
- An active Secret or higher security clearance.
- Significant experience with Navy photonic and fiber systems.
Pennsylvania State University is a multi-campus, land-grant public research university whose mission spans undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service.
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