Specialist, Electro-Optical Designer

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Specialist, Electro-Optical Designer

Job Code: 40481

Job Location: Waterdown, Ontario

Job Schedule: 9/80

About L3HARRIS WESCAM

As a subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies and within the Communications & Spectrum Dominance (CSD) Segment, the WESCAM division develops the most advanced optical sensor and targeting systems for global defense and military sectors, national security, search & rescue and airborne law enforcement agencies. From long-range covert surveillance missions to search and rescue operations, our MX-series systems, and the mission systems solutions they produce stabilized high-magnification electro-optical and infrared images from airborne, marine and ground based platforms, enabling our customers to see first and act first.

Our work environment is both challenging and dynamic – our physical environment is state of the art. Here’s what you can expect by joining L3Harris WESCAM:

• Brand new, custom-built 330,000 sq ft Engineering and Production facility atop the Waterdown escarpment in Hamilton
• Close to hiking paths along the Bruce trail
• Every other Friday off (paid – with our rare 9/80 work schedule)
• 18000 sq ft subsidized Café including 12 mini- Café areas throughout the complex
• Free 10,000 sq ft on-site gym
• Free wellness programs
• Free fruit, bagels and coffee
• Wellness rooms – first aid, prayer, mother’s room and quiet zones
• Work / Life balance
• Real opportunities for growth and development
• A diverse and inclusive working culture
• Everyone’s role at L3HARRIS WESCAM contributes to protecting people’s lives

About the Role

Experienced professional with proficient knowledge of job area. Designs, develops and tests optical technologies and systems. Interacts with device, hardware and software design teams to assist in overall development of optical systems; specifying, selecting and qualifying active and passive optical components, developing and benchmarking system performance models, developing and implementing test procedures and/or evaluating and selecting appropriate test instrumentation. Provides multi-discipline support to instrumentation production by resolving technical issues associated with components, parts, products or systems; testing of new and existing designs and documentation of changes through a formal engineering change notification process. May provide recommendations for cost reduction efforts. May apply quantitative analysis in determining root cause of highly technical problems and propose, develop and implement solutions for corrective action.

Primary Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the development of complex Electro-Optical sub-assemblies such as digital imaging systems, thermal imaging systems and laser positioning systems.
• Active member of New Product Introduction (NPI) teams, supporting the development of modern Electro-Optical sub-assemblies from concept to production.
• Verification of proposed design solutions via a combination of analyses and tests.
• Actively support the manufacturing organization to ensure proper knowledge transfer, timely resolution of design issues and effective test methodologies development.
• Support design improvements of established Electro-Optical modules.
• Collaborate closely with other team members from Mechanical, Electrical, Software, Systems Engineering and Operations to ensure high quality of design solutions.
• Generation of related documentation including analyses summary, specification documents, test reports.
• Development and testing of sophisticated image processing algorithms using Matlab.
• Participate in and present results at design review meetings related to new Electro-Optical modules.
• Keep up-to-date knowledge of Electro-Optical industry trends and new technologies that may be relevant to Wescam’s business.

Required Capabilities

• Strong knowledge of basic optics principles:
  • Laser Systems
  • Geometrical Optics, Imaging, Lens Design
  • Radiometry
  • Electro-magnetic waves propagation
  • Thin-film optical coatings

• Familiarity with various image sensor technologies (CCD, CMOS, Thermal Imagers, etc)
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills, proficient with Matlab or a similar language
• Proficient in optics and electronics lab environments
• Understanding of analog and digital video concepts:
  • Color science
  • Digital video standards
  • Resolution and sensitivity measurements (MRTD, MRC, NETD, MTF, etc)
• Familiar with a wide range of engineering fields (mainly Mechanical, Electrical & Software)
• Knowledge of Optical Design software (CodeV or Zemax) an asset
• Knowledge of range performance modelling tools (Modtran, NVTherm, SSCam, etc) an asset

Desired Education and Experiences

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience, or Graduate degree with 2 years of experience. In lieu of a degree, a minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.

This posting is for a current vacancy. In the province of Ontario, Canada, the pay range for this position will be $85,500 to $135,500. Candidates with fewer years of experience may apply and will be considered for the role at a lower grade.

At L3Harris, we foster an inclusive and equitable workplace. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. For applicants with disabilities, we will provide you with accommodation so that you have what you need in order to be at your best.

L3Harris performs background checks prior to employment as all applicants must be eligible for registration with the Controlled Goods Program and obtain and maintain a positive security assessment. Some positions may require a government of Canada “Reliability” status and/or Level 2 (Secret) security clearance. In addition, L3Harris performs pre-employment substance abuse testing where required.