Role Overview:
Aalyria is seeking an expert in the development, implementation, and testing of state-of-the-art adaptive optics (AO) systems, including system architecture, algorithms, hardware, and software. In this role, the Engineer will collaboratively take part in the development and implementation of a wavefront correction subsystem suitable for high-throughput atmospheric laser communications between Earth and space (at various orbits). The Embedded Controls Engineer will investigate, prototype, develop initial production, ultimately field , maintain and improve the AO hardware and firmware for a Free Space Optical Communications terminal and associated testing and production tools. This requires selecting for the optimal balance of practicality, reliability and affordability from existing off the shelf components. All while supporting and collaborating with the associated team of optical, mechanical, electrical, software and controls engineers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Participate in a multidisciplinary team on the development of real-time wavefront estimation and correction subsystems suitable for laser communications.
- Substantially contribute to developing analysis methods, software tools, and DSP algorithms to design and test adaptive optics systems.
- Drive experimental testbed definition, design, development to test and validate AO subsystem performance.
- Support transition of prototype development and testing infrastructure to manufacturing.
- Develop real-time control system software for control, monitoring, and telemetry.
- Work on the full life cycle of control system development, from concept to design, integration, testing, and release.
- Create embedded C language, nested, low-latency, closed-loop control systems for optical wavefront sensing.
- Run lab experiments (instrumentation, test, and data acquisition) to validate the capability and robustness of control systems.
- Investigate improvements to reduce latencies and increase uptime and reliability.
- Collaborate with firmware, system, and product platform engineers to implement algorithms and ensure they meet design goals and requirements.
- Contribute to technical requirements in collaboration with the optical, mechanical, and electrical design teams.
Required Qualifications:
- Degree in relevant engineering discipline with 3+ years of experience in a form of adaptive optics involving wavefront sensing, and correction.
- Proficiency in control design analysis and simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink.
- Experience with non-linear systems, using techniques such as gain scheduling and linearization to achieve closed-loop control stability.
- Expertise in converting, implementing, and debugging Control Laws, Digital Filters, and other Digital Signal Processing into embedded C code.
- Experience with adaptive optics feedback and controls algorithm development.
- Track record of successful transition from research to real-world application/product.
- Demonstrated experience in the ability to work collaboratively at the intersection of different disciplines (e.g., algorithms, hardware, and software).
- Ability to efficiently and effectively use real-world hardware and software systems for testing, troubleshooting, and characterization.
- Strong analytical problem-solving skills, as well as excellent communication and collaboration abilities within a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong execution track record in schedule and resource-constrained environments.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree in relevant engineering discipline with 5+ years of industry experience in adaptive optics related application.
- Demonstrated experience in participating in the full development lifecycle of a lasercom terminal or similar system, from design to delivery.
- Prior experience with atmospheric laser communication systems.
- Design, model, and implement real-time feedback systems to control light-based hardware, typically combining physics with electronics, software, and mechanical systems.
- Experience designing for harsh terrestrial environmental conditions.
- Demonstrated proficiency with laser beam propagation in the atmosphere, including pertinent effects on the amplitude and phase of a laser beam in a communications application.