Senior Optical Engineer

Amentum•Odon, IN

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Amentum is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support research and development efforts for the advancement of electro-optical and infrared systems. This role involves supporting the design, integration, and testing of advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) systems across maritime, airborne, and expeditionary platforms. The position offers hands-on experience with cutting-edge imaging technologies, sensor payloads, and embedded electronics in dynamic, mission-driven environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in STEM field (Remote Sensing, Photonics, Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, or Aerospace Engineering) with 10+ years of relevant experience or a Master’s Degree in relevant field with 7+ years of relevant experience.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret clearance (interim clearance is required to start).
US Citizenship is required to obtain a secret clearance.
Demonstrated ability to act as a technical lead or subject matter expert across multiple engineering domains, not limited to a single specialty.
Deep experience in at least one core domain with working expertise across several other domains including sensors/imaging, FPGA/digital systems, RF systems, or optical/photonic systems.
Experience with system integration, debugging, and performance optimization across hardware, firmware, and software.
Strong understanding of end-to-end system performance, including signal chains, noise sources, data processing, and environmental effects.
Demonstrated experience leading engineering trade studies and making critical technical decisions with limited oversight.
Experience defining and executing advanced test methodologies, including lab and field environments.
Hands-on experience with hardware bring-up, instrumentation, and system-level validation.
Proven ability to lead technical efforts and mentor engineers, influencing design, quality and execution.
Ability to translate complex technical work into clear, concise communication for both technical and non-technical audiences, supporting program reporting and decision making.
Demonstrated ability to prioritize work, manage competing tasks, and deliver results in alignment with project schedules and budget expectations.

Nice To Haves

Experience spanning multiple domains including sensors and imaging systems, FPGA and digital signal processing, RF systems and signal chains, optical and photonic systems, including laser technologies.
Active Secret Clearance
Strong programming experience for analysis, automation, or algorithm development utilizing C++, Python, and/or MATLAB.
Experience integrating and deployment systems on UAS and/or other mobile/airborne platforms.
Experience with C-UAS applications, including detection, tracking, and identification systems.
Experience leading system architecture development and design reviews.
Prior experience service as a technical lead responsible for delivery of major subsystems or full systems.
Prior experience mentoring junior engineers or leading small technical efforts.

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end design, development, integration, and validation of complex engineering systems across sensing, processing, and platform domains.
Serve as a technical authority across multiple domains, including sensors, FPA/imaging systems, FPGA/digital processing, RF systems, and optical/photonic technologies.
Resolve complex technical challenges, including cross-domain integration issues, performance shortfalls, and undefined system behaviors.
Architect and implement robust system solutions, making and defending critical design decisions with minimal oversight.
Lead deep-dive debugging and root cause analysis across hardware, firmware, and software, driving issues to closure.
Define and execute comprehensive test and validation strategies, including lab, field, and operational environments.
Perform and lead high-impact trade studies, balancing performance, cost, schedule and risk and coordinate with the Program Manager and Stakeholders to make final technical decisions within scope.
Drive system integration and deployment, ensuring performance meets mission and operational requirements.
Develop and deliver high-quality technical outputs including design documentation, performance analyses, and additional program deliverables for internal and external stakeholders.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship, setting engineering standards and guiding less experienced engineers through complex problem solving.
Lead integration and performance evaluation of systems on deployable platforms, including UAS, ensuring mission effectiveness.
Apply system expertise to UAS and C-UAS applications, including detection tracking, identification, and performance optimization in real-world environments.