Join Our Mission to Explore the Future

At HartSCI, innovation isn’t just what we do—it’s who we are. We thrive on discovery, collaboration, and tackling the challenges that shape optics, astronomy, defense, and space technologies. If you’re ready to make a real impact where it matters most, we want to hear from you.

HartSCI thrives on cutting-edge development—and that starts with great engineers and skilled technical professionals. We’re always eager to engage with professionals experienced in:

Optical Engineering

  • Adaptive Optics
  • Laser Technologies
  • Free-Space Optical Communications

Systems Engineering

Opto-Mechanical Design

Software Engineering

If you’re skilled in one or more of these areas and interested in contributing to advanced optical and communications solutions, let’s connect.

HartSCI team

Optical Engineer

Full Time – Onsite, Tucson AZ

HartSCI is a dynamic small business that designs and manufactures adaptive optics systems and related instrumentation for astronomical and laser communication applications. Our innovative products are deployed to serve the needs of government, commercial, and academic clients. Spurred by recent growth and anticipated larger market share, we are looking to expand our technical team. 

This is hands-on position building, aligning and testing state-of-the-art optical instruments. As an Optical Engineer, you will participate in the full development cycle of innovative programs creating advanced optical systems, starting from concept and requirements, to build, alignment and test, and finally commissioning operational products at the customer site including support/upgrade of systems in the field. Working with our outstanding team of optical, mechanical, and software engineers and technicians, as well as our senior scientific staff, you will provide the engineering support that delivers success to our customers. 

At HartSCI we take pride in going beyond our customers’ expectations. If you are ready to take on a technical position of substantial responsibility in an exciting, rewarding and growth-oriented environment, we encourage you to join us.

Essential Job Functions

  • Build out of optical systems and other related optical instrumentation to requirements and specifications 
  • Document optical alignment and test at component, sub-system, and system level to ensure requirements are met
  • Experience with adaptive optics systems and design and optical breadboard assembly and alignment highly desirable
  • Under supervision of senior staff, analyize optical systems, including effects of WFE, stray light, and tolerance sensitivity using Zemax or other professional tools, and compare results to system requirements
  • Contribute to maturation of existing products and manufacturing processes through collaborative development of documentation, procedure, and support infrastructure
  • Write and contribute to reports, including: design documentation, operational specifications, project briefings for internal and customer consumption
  • Conduct optical component searches, to include interaction with vendors to identify suitable parts
  • Deal directly with customers by preparing and participating in briefings, presentations and meetings 

 

Requirements

  • BS optical engineering or optical sciences, MS preferred
  • 2-5 years of documented experience with lab assembly and alignment of complex optical systems
  • Solid understanding of optical theory and principles of application
  • Demonstrated experience in optical system design and layout with Zemax 
  • Ability to travel in support of system deployment or customer engagement – ~10% time
  • US Citizenship
  • Ability to pass a mandatory background check

 

Desired Skills/Background

  • Laser communications system experience highly desirable
  • Experience with lasers in benchtop or in-the-field applications highly desirable
  • Experience with autocollimators, alignment telescopes, interferometers preferred
  • Active US security clearance

 

Benefits

Competitive salary, medical, dental and vision insurance at no charge to employee, 401k with automatic company contributions plus performance bonuses, generous PTO package, 9 paid Holidays per year.

Software Engineer

HartSCI is seeking a Software Engineer to support software development for adaptive optics, optical imaging, laser guide star, and Free Space Optical Communications systems. The position includes hardware communications, image processing, and graphical user interfaces (GUI), as well as software integration, test, and deployment. The Software Engineer will participate in the full development cycle of innovative optical systems, from concept and requirements definition through design, development, integration, commissioning, customer delivery, and field support.

The successful candidate will work closely with optical, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineers, senior scientific staff, management, and customers to develop practical solutions that meet system requirements and project schedules. This is a technical position with substantial responsibility in a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

 

Essential Job Functions

  • Design, develop, maintain, and improve backend services, software applications, and frontend user interfaces.
  • Develop and maintain core HartSCI software products using C, C++, and other appropriate languages and tools on Linux operating systems.
  • Support the design, analysis, development, integration, assembly, and test of optical imaging, adaptive optics, laser guide star, and Free Space Optical Communications systems.
  • Develop software for hardware communications and low-level interfaces, including cameras, sensors, linear stages, and other system components.
  • Debug and improve existing complex, multi-process systems using industry-standard testing and analysis methods.
  • Participate in software design, peer reviews, code reviews, and collaborative development of code bases and software modules.
  • Analyze and maintain existing software applications and manage version control using Git.
  • Develop software modules in accordance with project requirements and schedule commitments.
  • Work with engineers from optical, electrical, mechanical, and systems disciplines and management to understand system requirements and develop optimal solutions.
  • Engage with customers to define top-level system requirements and participate in requirements development, including System Requirements Reviews (SRR), key performance parameter (KPP) definition, and requirements tracking.
  • Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to flow down system requirements to contributing functional areas.
  • Provide software engineering support for the design, assembly, integration, and test of subassemblies and integrated opto-mechanical systems.
  • Participate in alignment and testing activities, including test reviews, test witnessing, software certification, and system commissioning.
  • Contribute to the maturation of new and existing software products and manufacturing processes through collaborative development of code, documentation, procedures, and support infrastructure.
  • Assist with identification and procurement of components, including evaluation of electrical and software compatibility based on drawings, spreadsheets, and models.
  • Prepare and contribute to technical reports and documentation, including design documentation, operational specifications, CONOP specifications, and project briefings for internal and customer use.
  • Interact directly with customers through briefings, presentations, meetings, conferences, and other technical engagements.
  • Assist with the preparation, selection, and development of proposals and quotes for new work.
  • Support customer deployments, hardware deliveries, field activities, and system upgrades as required.
  • Perform other duties as mutually agreed upon.

 

Required Skills and Background

  • 5–10 years of software development experience.
  • Significant experience with C and/or C++ or another memory-unmanaged programming language.
  • Proficiency developing software on Linux operating systems, including strong knowledge of Linux command-line tools and interfaces.
  • Experience with hardware integration and low-level hardware communications.
  • Experience with Git or other source-control systems; Git is preferred.
  • Strong debugging, testing, and analytical skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.
  • Ability to understand system requirements and translate them into practical software solutions.
  • Ability to travel in support of system deployments, customer engagements, meetings, conferences, and hardware deliveries; expected travel is less than 10% of work time.
  • U.S. citizenship.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

 

Desired Skills and Background

  • Experience with both C++ and JavaScript.
  • Web development experience.
  • Experience with Azure DevOps, Jira, or similar project and development management tools.
  • Strong mathematical skills and/or experience applying mathematics to engineering or software problems.
  • Proficiency in scripting languages such as Julia.
  • Knowledge of FPGA technologies and GPU programming, including CUDA.
  • Experience with high-speed control systems.
  • Experience with computer vision, image processing, and/or digital signal processing (DSP).
  • Interest or experience in astronomy, space systems, optical technologies, and laser communications.
  • Enthusiasm for working with advanced optical and communications technologies.

 

Work Environment and Collaboration

The Software Engineer will work under the general direction of HartSCI management and will collaborate closely with engineers, scientists, technical staff, and customers. The role requires initiative, strong communication skills, and the ability to work across technical disciplines while balancing technical objectives, system requirements, and project schedules.