Next-Gen Technology Engineer — Optical Communications

Next-Gen Technology Engineer — Optical Communications

Peraton's Space and Mission Solutions CTO Office is hiring an Optical Communications engineer to support an active and growing portfolio of free-space optical and laser-based SATCOM pursuits. This is a hands-on technical execution role — you will build models, develop prototypes and demonstrations, author proposal content, and provide engineering expertise that directly enables Peraton to compete and win in the optical communications market and a System Integrator or Prime. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Reston, Virginia, with the ability to travel to other Peraton sites and customer locations as needed. This role reports directly to the CTO.

As a Next-Gen Technology Engineer, you are technology-aligned and a mission-enabler. You will support efforts across the Space sector and Peraton to provide expertise in free-space optical systems such as link budget analysis, atmospheric turbulence modeling, pointing/acquisition/tracking, and ground terminal architecture. As part of this you will inform and execute optical comm strategy for the sector to include building models, analyzed real links, overseeing and building prototypes/demonstrations for customers, and worked through the hard physics of getting a laser beam from space to ground reliably.

This role is designed for an optical systems engineer or photonics specialist who has worked on defense or space-related optical communication programs and is ready to translate that expertise into competitive proposal content and technical solutions.

Key Responsibilities may include:

• Develop concepts of operations for optical SATCOM ground terminal systems, translating mission requirements into technically sound architectures
• Review, develop, analyze, and allocate requirements for free-space optical communication links and ground terminals across the S&I pursuit portfolio
• Build and exercise performance models including link budget analysis, atmospheric turbulence modeling, pointing/acquisition/tracking simulations, and mitigation techniques such as adaptive optics and wavefront correction
• Provide technical guidance on deploying optical SATCOM systems, including optical ground terminals, wavefront correction, and ATP mechanisms
• Support the integration of optical ground terminals into broader SATCOM architectures
• Analyze real link scenarios, work through the physics of space-to-ground laser propagation, and produce technically defensible results that inform solution design
• Contribute to technical volumes and technical approaches for proposals involving optical communications, owning content from outline through submission
• Conduct competitive analysis and develop differentiation strategies that highlight Peraton's technical depth in optical communications
• Support integration of optical ground terminals into broader SATCOM architectures, working with program engineering teams on system design, test, and validation
• Maintain awareness of emerging optical communications technologies, DoD investment priorities, and program office activity to inform pursuit strategy
• Mentor junior engineers and proposal contributors on optical systems concepts, link analysis, and technical writing
• Actively work to expand optical communications expertise within the sector — this includes structured knowledge transfer, not just answering questions when asked

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5+ years of experience with a BS/BA in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, or related field; 3+ years with MS/MA; or 0+ years with PhD.
• Direct experience in free-space optical communications, photonics, or laser-based SATCOM systems — you have worked on real programs, not just academic or laboratory settings
• Demonstrated proficiency in free-space optical system modeling and link analysis, including atmospheric effects, pointing error budgets, and link margin calculations
• Experience with optical ground terminal design, wavefront correction systems, and pointing/acquisition/tracking mechanisms
• Demonstrated experience contributing to technical volumes on competitive government proposals — you have owned sections, not just reviewed them
• Proven ability to work effectively in fast-paced proposal environments with compressed timelines and evolving requirements
• Strong written communication skills — ability to write clear, compelling, evaluator-focused technical content
• U.S. Citizenship required; must have the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance

Desired Qualifications:

• An active TS/SCI clearance is highly desired
• Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a closely related field
• Experience with DoD lifecycle management processes for SATCOM systems from engineering design through integration, test, deployment, operations, and sustainment
• Exposure to SATCOM or defense-related optical communication programs, particularly involving ground terminals and space-to-ground laser links
• Familiarity with atmospheric mitigation strategies including adaptive optics, site diversity, and aperture averaging
• Experience with CCSDS optical communications standards or other space link protocols
• Experience working alongside or in support of a business development or capture team

Benefits: 

At Peraton, our benefits are designed to help keep you at your best beyond the work you do with us daily. We’re fully committed to the growth of our employees. From fully comprehensive medical plans to tuition reimbursement, tuition assistance, and fertility treatment, we are there to support you all the way.