Principle Optical Engineer & Electro-Optical Lead - Directed Energy

Job Description

The Lead Electro-Optical Engineer will lead and direct the design, development, and integration of advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO-IR) systems that support high-energy laser and high-power microwave directed energy platforms. This role ensures that optical designs—including beam control systems, optical assemblies, stray light mitigation, precision alignment, and laser propagation systems—translate into safe, functional, and production-ready hardware that meets stringent performance, reliability, and safety requirements.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Design & Engineering Leadership

• Lead optical systems design for beam control, laser delivery, optical assemblies, precision optical mounts, and EO-IR sensor integration critical to directed energy platforms.
• Direct design efforts for high-power laser systems, beam steering mechanisms, stray light control, and thermal management of optical components.
• Contribute to and influence overall product design for directed energy weapon systems.
• Translate requirements into detailed optical designs using Zemax, Code V, or similar optical design software.
• Perform and oversee optical analysis including ray tracing, stray light modeling, wavefront error analysis, thermal effects, and laser propagation.
• Support and oversee fabrication, assembly, alignment, and testing of optical systems and prototypes.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, providing guidance on technical and professional growth.

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Systems Integration

• Lead collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, systems engineering) to develop innovative solutions and influence product architecture.
• Negotiate design characteristics among engineers, suppliers, customers, and program management.
• Interface with manufacturing to optimize optical designs for fabrication and assembly.
• Support fabrication, testing, and validation efforts to ensure systems meet performance requirements.

• Risk Management & Problem Solving

• Identify, articulate, and manage risks across optical, thermal, and alignment systems.
• Solve complex engineering problems in fast-paced environments with evolving requirements.
• Lead design reviews and DFMEA, serving as technical escalation point.
• Investigate anomalies and perform Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) for optical system performance issues.

• Technical Documentation & Configuration Leadership

• Create and approve engineering drawings with GD&T, design documentation, and technical specifications for optical assemblies.
• Lead configuration management and version control for optical designs.
• Review and approve documentation from junior team members.
• Develop test procedures to properly test and verify optical system requirements.

• Stakeholder Communication & Program Leadership

• Communicate effectively with government customers, leadership, and technical experts.
• Manage relationships with vendors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in design quality, efficiency, and manufacturability.
• Prepare requirements packages for Technical Review Board meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Level 4 - 9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 13 years relevant experience.

• Level 5 - 15 years relevant experience with Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field; 13 years relevant experience with Master's degree in related field; OR 10 years relevant experience with PhD in related field.

• High-level proficiency in optical design software (Zemax, Code V, or equivalent) for complex optical systems.

• Extensive experience with high-power laser systems design, integration, and alignment.

• Experience with stray light analysis and mitigation techniques.

• Ability to translate requirements into tasks and completed optical designs.

• Ability to perform fundamental optical analysis working from first principles.

• Demonstrated technical leadership driving results in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.

• Experience with requirements management and traceability (DOORS or equivalent).

• Experience with fabrication, manufacturing methods, and hands-on optical prototyping.

• Proven leadership mentoring and developing engineers across all levels.

• Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET level security clearance.

Preferred Requirements

• Advanced optical analysis experience including wavefront error budget analysis, thermal distortion modeling, and laser beam propagation.

• Experience with EO-IR sensors, thermal imaging systems, and night vision systems.

• Proficiency with MATLAB for optical modeling and data analysis.

• Experience with Fourier transform spectroscopy and optical characterization techniques.

• Deep thermal management expertise for high-power optical applications.

• Experience with LIDAR or laser ranging systems.

• Master's degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification.

• Clearance: Active SECRET level security clearance.