Senior Optical Engineer
About The Position
Thank you for your interest in BAE Systems! This opening is included as part of our June 2026 Countermeasure & Electromagnetic Attack Solutions Engineering Hiring Event. While we encourage all interested professionals to apply, please note that this is a selection-based interview event for candidates whose skills and experience match our hiring needs. If your background and skill set match these needs, we will reach out with next steps. If selected for an interview, specific opportunities based on your interests, experience, and skill set will be discussed with the hiring team. For candidates not local to the southern NH or Austin, TX areas, virtual interviews will be accommodated. BAE Systems is currently looking for a talented Senior Principal Optical Engineer to join our EO/IR Capability Group. This group comprises a team of expert Optical, Electro-Optical, Opto-mechanical and Laser specialists dedicated to developing innovative hardware solutions that drive the success of our program portfolio. BAE Systems is experiencing continued growth in our Electro-optic/Infrared (EO/IR) markets, and we are seeking experienced, highly motivated Engineers to join our team. The qualified applicants will support assignments in EO/IR systems, precision pointing, Lens design and other complex EO/IR product design/development at our southern New Hampshire locations. At BAE Systems we design, develop and manufacture highly sophisticated EO/IR solutions that service a variety of product areas for government and commercial applications. The Senior Principal Optical Engineer will develop and mature advanced EO system concepts. This will include the design, analysis, and measurement of optical subsystems. Responsibilities include the development of optical subsystem schedule/budgets, design and analysis of optical subsystems, and the testing and validation of prototype assemblies. The work environment is fast-paced and presents many technical challenges as well as significant growth opportunities. Successful technical contributors will be comfortable working in multi-disciplinary teams, present current program work to customers as well as contribute to proposals for new projects. The successful candidate will have an in-depth understanding in one or more of the following: Optics, Laser, Material Science, Precision Pointing, Optical Lens Systems, Imaging Systems
Requirements
- Experience designing optical systems, specifically for lens designs and other complex EO/IR optical designs
- Experience with sensitivity analysis and other optical system analysis
- Experience Integrating and testing hardware and optical components in a laboratory environment
- Experience/ability/knowledge working with Focal Plane Arrays (FPA), microbolometers, EO/IR cameras, thermal imaging or sensor technologies
- Experience presenting proposals/designs to customers (internal and external)
- Ability to collect, analyze, and document EO/IR hardware requirements
- Ability to support proposals through labor estimations and written technical plans / architecture.
- Experience allocating system requirements to subsystem requirements & creating supplier specifications for custom optical designs
- Willingness to provide manufacturing support for optical imaging test equipment
- Effective oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills and a positive, can-do attitude
- BS degree in Optical Engineering or a related technical field
- Experience in designing optical subassemblies
- Experience working with and designing for electro-optical systems
- Understanding EO/IR Systems
Nice To Haves
- Ability to obtain a Secret Clearance
Responsibilities
- development of optical subsystem schedule/budgets
- design and analysis of optical subsystems
- testing and validation of prototype assemblies
- present current program work to customers
- contribute to proposals for new projects
Benefits
- health, dental, and vision insurance
- health savings accounts
- a 401(k) savings plan
- disability coverage
- life and accident insurance
- employee assistance program
- a legal plan
- discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance
- paid time off
- paid holidays
- paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave
- Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards
- Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
