Advanced Optics / Test Technician

Basic Qualifications

Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience is required plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this position

Imagine building your career by developing the solutions that support the mission of our nation’s service members, intelligence analysts and first responders. That’s the challenge that’s waiting for you at General Dynamics Mission Systems. Here you have the opportunity to redefine innovation and excellence for the world. Are you ready? Then make a career move that makes an impact at General Dynamics Mission Systems.
Using your expertise, the Advanced RF/Optics Technician will provide hands-on support on the installation and/or repair of systems to restricted customers, users or company personnel, either at domestic or international field sites. We’ll count on you to perform a variety of equipment/process operations involving an Application or technical skills in a specific area (optical, electrical, software, mechanical, manufacturing, etc.). You’ll interpret complex engineering drawings, diagrams and schematics to understand the necessary interfaces.

• Position: Optical Test Technician – Rydberg Sensor Data Collection

  Required Qualifications

  • Associate degree in electronics, photonics, engineering technology, physics, or a related technical discipline; equivalent hands-on laboratory and test experience may be considered.
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience performing RF/Optical test and measurement in a laboratory, production, or field-test environment.
  • Proficiency operating RF/Optical instrumentation, including vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, power meters, oscilloscopes, attenuators, couplers, and RF switching equipment.
  • Working understanding of RF/Optical propagation, phase, frequency response, calibration, impedance matching, cable/connector care, and measurement uncertainty.
  • Experience setting up and documenting repeatable RF measurement configurations, including baseline/reference measurements and controlled test conditions.
  • Hands-on experience working safely with laboratory lasers and familiarity with laser safety practices, controlled areas, protective eyewear, beam-path awareness, and alignment procedures.
  • Experience with fiber-optic components, including fiber coupling, connectors, patch cables, collimators, polarization-sensitive components, and proper fiber inspection/cleaning practices.
  • Experience aligning free-space optical paths, including mirrors, lenses, beam steering, focusing, and verification of optical alignment through an experimental cell or test fixture.
  • Ability to follow detailed test procedures precisely, recognize anomalous measurements, troubleshoot setup issues, and escalate equipment or safety concerns appropriately.
  • Strong data-collection discipline: accurately record test configuration, frequency settings, environmental conditions, specimen state, instrument settings, calibration status, and run metadata.
  • Comfortable working with large experimental data sets and basic data tools such as Excel, MATLAB, Python, or automated test-data collection software.
  • Ability to handle and document test articles in accordance with site safety, security, and chain-of-custody procedures.
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with engineers, researchers, and other technicians.

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with atomic, quantum, photonic, vapor-cell, electro-optic, or laser spectroscopy test systems.
  • Familiarity with cesium vapor cells, electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), Rydberg-atom sensing, or related optical/RF measurement methods.
  • Experience using Toptica laser systems or comparable tunable diode-laser equipment.
  • Experience developing or improving automated test setups using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, SCPI, or instrument-control software.
  • Familiarity with machine-learning data collection requirements, including class labeling, data integrity checks, balanced experimental conditions, and reproducibility.
  • Experience supporting experiments that compare empty and material-filled enclosures or perform low-frequency penetration and phase-delay measurements.
  • Prior work in regulated, controlled, government, defense, or research laboratory environments.

  Physical and Safety Requirements

  • Ability to work in a laboratory environment and wear required laser, electrical, and general laboratory personal protective equipment.
  • Ability to perform careful bench work involving small optical and RF components.
  • Ability to move or position test fixtures, instruments, and boxed test articles within normal laboratory lifting limits.
  • Willingness to complete required laser-safety, electrical-safety, RF-safety, and site-security training before independent operation.

Target salary range: USD $31.14/Hr. – USD $33.40/Hr. This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Company Overview

General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans