Opto-Mechanical Engineer

FTS International, LLC • Chantilly, VA

4d • $149,000 - $170,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Opto-Mechanical Engineer provides technical expertise and systems engineering support for the development, integration, and sustainment of advanced space-based optical payloads and telescope systems.

Requirements

• TS/SCI with polygraph
• BS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) in engineering discipline
• 9+ years of experience supporting optical systems, telescope development, spacecraft payloads, opto-mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or aerospace programs
• Experience working with optical payloads, telescope systems, precision mechanical systems, or space-based imaging technologies
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles, interface management processes, and integration activities
• Experience supporting technical reviews, design assessments, and engineering coordination across multiple organizations
• Ability to evaluate technical tradeoffs and develop recommendations that balance performance, risk, schedule, and cost considerations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting technical information to government and industry stakeholders
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse engineering teams and organizations

Nice To Haves

• MS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) in engineering discipline
• Familiarity with optical payload integration, telescope manufacturing processes, precision alignment techniques, and environmental testing
• Experience with Interface Control Documents (ICDs), requirements management, and configuration control processes
• Knowledge of optical performance modeling, structural analysis, thermal analysis, or optical system design principles
• Experience supporting vendor management, technical interchange meetings, and government-industry partnerships
• Familiarity with technology readiness assessments, acquisition planning, and transition of emerging technologies into operational programs
• Experience supporting multi-vendor development environments and complex spacecraft integration efforts

Responsibilities

• Support the maturation of advanced telescope technologies, manage cross-vendor interface coordination efforts, and contribute to the development of common engineering approaches that enhance interchangeability across future spacecraft builds
• Facilitate the transfer of knowledge related to advanced telescope technologies, optical systems, and opto-mechanical architectures between government organizations and industry partners
• Serve as a technical liaison between government stakeholders and telescope vendors to ensure effective communication, collaboration, and alignment of engineering objectives
• Manage and coordinate telescope interface requirements across multiple industry vendors to maximize component and subsystem interchangeability for future spacecraft developments
• Evaluate and adjudicate interface recommendations, technical trades, and design feedback from industry partners to reduce non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs and improve future integration efficiency
• Support the development, maintenance, and configuration management of telescope interface definitions, technical standards, and engineering baselines
• Participate in opto-mechanical design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and engineering assessments throughout the system lifecycle
• Support integration planning activities for telescope assemblies, optical payloads, and spacecraft interfaces
• Collaborate with government and industry teams to identify opportunities for common architectures, modular designs, and standardized interfaces that improve mission flexibility and acquisition efficiency
• Contribute to technology maturation efforts by assessing emerging optical technologies, evaluating readiness levels, and identifying transition opportunities into future programs
• Coordinate technical activities among multiple vendors, government organizations, and engineering teams to support schedule, performance, and mission objectives
• Support risk assessments, trade studies, and engineering analyses associated with telescope integration and performance
• Develop technical documentation, interface control products, engineering recommendations, and executive-level briefings to support program decision-making

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Life Insurance
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Retirement and Savings
• Learning and Development opportunities
• wellness programs
• other optional benefit elections

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior