Optics Manufacturing Engineer

About the role

At Raytheon's Optics Manufacturing Center, the Manufacturing Engineering team plays a critical role in sustaining a competitive edge in the design and production of complex optical components, assemblies, and systems. The team drives operational excellence to ensure high‑quality product delivery that meets schedule, cost, and safety targets. The Richardson, TX facility is seeking a highly skilled Optics Manufacturing Engineer to contribute to the production of advanced optical elements using state‑of‑the‑art grinding and polishing technologies. Relocation benefits are available. This position is focused on high‑precision optics technology, not eyeglasses or eyesight‑related products.

Location: Richardson, TX (US‑TX‑RICHARDSON‑521). This is an onsite role requiring U.S. citizenship. No security clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support for the fabrication and metrology of high‑precision optical windows, lenses, and prisms.
• Develop and document robust manufacturing process plans that meet complex optical and mechanical specifications while optimizing cost, throughput, quality, and yield.
• Interpret and verify conformance of engineering drawings, specifications, work instructions, and test procedures to applicable internal and external standards.
• Support bid and proposal efforts by estimating time and resources required for manufacturing activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through data analysis and process optimization.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing technicians on the factory floor to resolve production issues in real time.
• Specify, procure, and validate production and metrology equipment required for optical manufacturing and testing.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action (RCCA) efforts for product or process failures using structured problem‑solving tools such as 5 Whys and Fishbone.
• Interface with cross‑functional teams, program management, and customers to provide technical guidance, ensure requirements compliance, and support key project milestones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM) with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience providing engineering support in a precision manufacturing environment, specifically with high‑precision CNC lathes, milling machines, and surface grinders.
• Hands‑on expertise in operating and programming 3‑axis and/or 5‑axis CNC equipment using CAM software such as Mastercam or comparable platforms.
• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Mechanical Engineering, Precision Engineering, or a related field is preferred, with demonstrated expertise in optical manufacturing processes (grinding, pitch polishing, pad polishing) and proficiency in operating planetary and spindle polishing machines.
• Skilled in interpreting engineering drawings that incorporate GD&T standards to define manufacturing processes, with experience measuring and evaluating optical components using optical interferometry.
• Experience setting up machines, executing initial runs, troubleshooting, and performing post‑machining inspections, with strong ability to conduct root cause analysis and implement effective corrective actions.
• Proficiency in creating and evaluating CAD models using Creo or similar software.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage.
• 401(k) match and flexible spending accounts.
• Flexible work schedules and employee assistance program.
• Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays.
• Eligibility for annual short‑term and/or long‑term incentive compensation programs (subject to performance and business factors).
• Relocation assistance.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $68,900 – $131,100 USD. This range is a good‑faith estimate representing all experience levels; final compensation will consider role responsibilities, candidate experience, location, education/training, and key skills.