Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering

About the role

L3Harris is seeking a hands-on Optical Engineer to join our team, providing critical optical assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) support to our aerospace programs. This role (second shift) involves performing component and system AI&T using interferometry and precision adjustment to meet allocated alignment tolerances and error budget allocations. You will be part of a team consisting of manufacturing, operations, and quality personnel and will work with various technicians in support of the build process.

Responsibilities

• Create assembly and test workflows and author optical test plans, layouts, and testing procedures, working as part of a multidisciplinary AI&T team.
• Configure and align optical test support equipment (collimators, off-axis parabolas, flats, interferometers) as part of the optical test setup.
• Lead and conduct thorough testing and alignment of complex optical systems within a lab environment.
• Interpret interferometry measurement data (Zernike terms) to aid in adjustment of components and systems.
• Collaborate with optical design and modeling efforts as needed, with a focus on hands-on application and testing.
• Engage in troubleshooting activities and verification of system requirements to ensure compliance and functionality.
• Perform detailed inspection of optical components to maintain system integrity.
• Apply excellent written and verbal communication skills to document processes, convey technical information, and provide status of work tasks.

Requirements

• Experience and knowledge of precision alignment techniques at the optical component and optical system level using interferometry (PhaseCam, Zygo, LUPI), theodolites or alignment telescopes, and broadband illumination sources.
• Strong knowledge and experience in concepts of alignment sensitivity, wavefront error, Zernike polynomials, MTF, Ensquared energy, and knife-edge testing.
• Participation and leadership in optical AI&T projects.
• Knowledge of telescope systems and lens cell assemblies.
• Demonstrated organizational skills to effectively manage competing tasks with demanding schedules.
• Team player that is willing to mentor and guide new engineers in the art of optical alignments and techniques, ensuring knowledge transfer and adherence to best practices for lab-based system builds and experimental setups.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active Secret Security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience.
• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience with Zemax or CodeV software tools for optical design and analysis.
• Experience with MATLAB or Python for data analysis and automation of testing procedures.
• Background in optical fabrication or testing metrology.
• Knowledgeable in advanced interferometry concepts, optical testing layouts, and optical measurement data analysis products.
• Possesses an active Security clearance.

Benefits

• Health and disability insurance
• 401(k) match
• Flexible spending accounts
• EAP
• Education assistance
• Paid time off
• Company-paid holidays

Pay

The salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C., Denver, or NYC areas is $111,500 - $207,500.00. 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

(9/80 Every Other Friday Off!) – 2nd Shift with 10% Differential