Senior Principal Optical Designer Engineer

RTX•El Segundo, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Raytheon in El Segundo, CA seeks a motivated Optical Designer to apply their interest, training, and expertise to optical design, analysis, assembly, integration, and test. Our Space Optics Department develops optical imaging telescopes, spectrometers, sensors, and special test equipment. We own all aspects of the optical design needed to field innovative sensor solutions that meet mission requirements.

Requirements

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.
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.
Active and existing security clearance required after day 1.

Nice To Haves

Experience performing stray‑light analysis using FRED.
Experience building, aligning, and testing optical assemblies.
Experience designing opto‑mechanical hardware in CREO.

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.
Support backend verification of as-built optical designs and test configurations to ensure requirements compliance.
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.
Develop and tolerance optical designs with a focus on manufacturability and alignment feasibility.
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.