Lead, Optical Engineering

About the role

We are looking for a motivated Lead Optical Engineer to support the design, analysis, and development of advanced optical and electro-optical systems for aerospace and defense applications. This role is primarily focused on optical system architecture, performance modeling, optical analysis, and technical problem-solving throughout the product development lifecycle, with additional support for integration, alignment, and test activities as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support optical engineering activities for advanced imaging, sensing, and electro-optical systems.
• Support system performance analysis and verification of key optical requirements such as wavefront error, line of sight, distortion, focus, focal length, image quality, and related optical performance metrics.
• Contribute to assessment of optical system behavior including ghosting, scattering, and straylight performance, as needed for system design and verification efforts.
• Generate and review technical documentation including test plans, procedures, error budgets, requirements verification artifacts, design review materials, and final reports.
• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure optical designs are manufacturable, testable, and fully integrated into the broader system architecture.
• Provide technical leadership in troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and resolution of optical performance issues during development and test.
• Support hardware builds, laboratory demonstrations, integration efforts, and verification campaigns.
• Interface with internal stakeholders, external partners, and suppliers to coordinate technical execution and ensure requirements are clearly understood and met.
• Contribute to risk identification, mitigation planning, and continuous improvement of engineering processes and test methods.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance in optical analysis, test execution, and engineering best practices.

Requirements

• Minimum of 9 years of prior relevant experience. Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• Ability to obtain a federal security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• Ability to obtain a federal security clearance.
• Holds an active Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Experience in optical straylight analysis tools such as FRED.
• Relevant experience with the design, manufacture, integration, test and sell-off of space-based EO/IR subsystems.
• Hands-on experience with optical metrology equipment (interferometers, autocollimators, laser trackers) and phase retrieval techniques.
• Familiarity with specialized metrology software, including Zygo Mx and QED.NET.
• Experience with the design, manufacture, integration, test, and sell-off of space-based EO/IR subsystems.
• Ability to collaborate across all levels of leadership.
• Work collaboratively with others and complete assignments with a team-oriented approach.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills – taking complex concepts and sharing with others.
• Experience with project management aspects of technology development programs.
• Experience with estimating and managing costs & creating and managing schedules.

Benefits

• In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New York state is $117,000 - $218,000.
• L3Harris offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays.

Pay

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New York state is $117,000 - $218,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location.

Schedule

This role is best suited for someone who works on a 9/80 schedule (Every Other Friday Off!).