Senior Principal Optical Designer Engineer

About the role

The Optical Designer position within Raytheon's Space Optics Department is responsible for applying expertise in optical design, analysis, assembly, integration, and test. This role involves leading innovative optical design efforts, performing optical analysis, developing optical error trees, and supporting test equipment design and system integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovative optical design efforts for space and airborne systems, including tolerance and alignment simulations to ensure performance and robustness.
• Perform optical analysis such as stray light, STOP (structural, thermal, optical performance), image simulation, and radiometry to validate system performance.
• Develop, maintain, and manage optical error trees, budgets, and allocations (e.g., wavefront, spectral, mechanical) throughout the full program lifecycle.
• Serve as a technical leader across multiple programs, providing guidance, oversight, and mentorship to junior optical engineers.
• Design and analyze optical systems using industry-standard tools such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, and MATLAB.
• Conduct detailed stray light analysis to mitigate performance risks and improve system fidelity.
• Derive optical requirements and translate them into detailed specifications and engineering drawings.
• Support test equipment design, optical alignment activities, and system integration efforts.
• Present technical results and design decisions to internal leadership and external customers in formal reviews.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience.
• Experience with optical design/analysis and CAD software.
• Experience with optical alignment and measurement equipment.
• Experience performing optical design and analysis using Zemax or Code V.
• Experience designing refractive and reflective optical systems.
• Experience modeling optical alignment procedures.
• Experience collaborating with optical fabrication suppliers.
• We prefer experience performing stray-light analysis using FRED, building, aligning, and testing optical assemblies, and designing opto-mechanical hardware in CREO.

Benefits

Our total rewards package includes competitive compensation, comprehensive healthcare, wellness, and work/life benefits, career development and recognition programs, and relocation assistance. Specific benefits vary based on the specific business unit and whether the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.