At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth.
Discover your future with us.
We are seeking an undergraduate or graduate student with a strong background in Optical Engineering. The successful candidate will join a staff of scientists and engineers that support the development of visible and infrared imaging system, software, and hardware. As part of our technical team, you will collaborate with experienced engineers across multiple disciplines, gaining exposure to the full product lifecycle—from defining system requirements and prototyping, to debugging, testing, and integration into larger operational systems. Details of the assignment are TBD based on current contractual needs. This role requires a passion for solving challenging technical problems in a collaborative environment. All work for this position will be carried out on-site at our Tucson, AZ office.
Qualities We Look For:
- Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
- Integrity and responsibility in all actions
- Collaboration across teams and specialties
- Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
- Passion for national security and excellence
Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelors/Master’s/PhD degree program in Optical Engineering.
- Exposure to the engineering development cycle through school projects or other internships.
- A passion for physics, optics and technology with a strong desire to learn and grow.
- Strong hands on and lab skills, comfortable with optical equipment (cameras, lenses, mirrors, lasers, etc).
- Experience using common lab equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters, etc.).
Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):
- Software development skills in languages such as Python, MATLAB, Zemax, etc.
- Active DoD security clearance.
The salary range for this role depends on the candidate’s level of experience:
- Undergraduate Student: $30/hr (currently enrolled in BS program)
- Graduate Student: $35/hr (currently enrolled in MS program)
However, Areté considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
Other Considerations
Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.
Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.
Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.
Areté does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters. All agency engagements must be authorized in advance through a written agreement with Areté's Human Resources Department. Areté will not be responsible for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited submissions, and any such submissions will be considered the property of Areté without obligation to the submitting party.
Skills Required
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program in Optical Engineering
- Exposure to the engineering development cycle through school projects or internships
- Strong hands-on and laboratory skills
- Comfort using optical equipment such as cameras, lenses, mirrors, and lasers
- Experience using oscilloscopes, power supplies, multimeters, and similar laboratory equipment
- U.S. citizenship
- Successful criminal background screening
- Eligibility for access to classified information following a government security investigation
- Successful Department of Transportation drug test
- Software development experience with Python, MATLAB, or Zemax
- Active Department of Defense security clearance
What We Do
Areté, an employee-owned company, is an advanced science and engineering company that provides innovative solutions to the most challenging technical problems faced by the United States Defense and Intelligence agencies. Areté is derived from the Greek word “ἀρέτη”, meaning the pursuit of excellence and the achievement of maximum performance. Areté was founded in 1976 by five scientists, tasked by the DoD to help solve the challenge of detecting weak signals in heavy clutter over very wide areas. The signatures involved in this work were so weak that any advancement in signal processing algorithms demanded a new approach and understanding of the underlying fundamentals affecting the sensors and signal phenomena in the environments of interest. This first-principles-of-physics approach has been a hallmark of Areté’s development programs for the past 40 years Areté now works across the electromagnetic spectrum. We develop sensors and the associated signal processing algorithms necessary for the extraction and interpretation of data for systems operating under water, in the atmosphere, and in space. With our emphasis on enhanced signal processing and real-time executable software, Areté is able to improve the performance of existing sensor systems at fractions of the cost and time to operations of replacement systems. We work directly with customers and partners seeking maximum performance. Building on our expertise in detection theory we will continue to exploit the contextual, spatial, spectral, and temporal characteristics of data, incorporating them into our signal processing algorithms. These robust algorithms will continue to enable Areté to rapidly deliver innovative solutions to the ever evolving challenges of our customers.
