Development of optical raytrace and mechanical designs for UV optimized interference spectrometers. Identify and coordinate with external partners (such as Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility, JPL, etc) in the areas of optical coating design, diffraction grating development, and UV detector fabrication. Overseeing the construction, alignment, calibration, and test of laboratory and flight prototype instruments. Spectrometer: The spatial heterodyne spectrometer (SHS) are a completely new design that only 2-3 groups world wide have tried to develop. They require mastery knowledge and innovation. Will design a flight prototype that simultaneously samples two wavelengths.
Managing access, use, and maintenance of laboratory facilities including vacuum systems, cleanrooms, darkrooms, machining equipment, and electronics fabrication areas.
Develop and submit proposals for external funding of projects related to technology development and space flight demonstration of prototype instrumentation. Manage staff and resources of funded projects.
Coordinate with funding agencies (such as NASA) and technical support teams (which could include JPL, Goddard Space Flight Center, CISC, and others) providing flight systems and launch access. Manage field operations in support of launch and operation of instruments. This consists of a multiple support team at the NASA-Wallops Flight Facility including power, attitude control, telemetry, environmental testing, and vehicle design implementation. This is a broad collaboration of multiple teams prototyping new instrumentation and science research. It includes optical engineers, detector design/assembly, electrical and systems engineers, astronomers, and theorists.
Present research at national and international conferences and meetings. This can include mission reviews at NASA to present preliminary work on project and International meetings such as the SPIE meeting in Japan. SPEI is the premier optical engineering society world. The meetings reviews will also include Preliminary Design Review in 2025, a Critical Design Review in 2026, and a Mission Readiness Review in 2027, just prior to field operations he will lead at White Sands Missile Range.