Senior Scientist Photonic and Laser Systems

RTX•Columbia, VA

1h•Hybrid

About The Position

Raytheon Engineering’s Photonic Systems Group is seeking a senior technical leader with expertise in photonics, laser systems, free-space optical communications, and RF photonics. The role advances high-power laser-based countermeasure systems, optical communication terminals, adaptive optics, and RF-over-fiber photonic solutions for missile defense, airborne systems, and next-generation countermeasure payloads. The successful candidate will shape technology strategy, lead complex research and development programs, architect multi-domain optical/RF systems, and mentor technical leaders. The position influences photonic systems technology roadmaps and supports program pursuits, IRAD investments, and prototype demonstrations across RMD and other Directorates. The position serves as a senior technical authority for laser, photonic, and RF photonic systems across Raytheon programs and divisions. It combines system architecture and engineering with laboratory prototyping, technical leadership, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with manufacturing, supply chain partners, and vendors to transition prototypes toward production-ready designs. The role is hybrid and based in Dulles, Virginia. An active DoD TOP SECRET clearance is required on day one, and U.S. citizenship is required.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship and an active DoD TOP SECRET security clearance; an active and existing clearance is required on day one.
Bachelor’s, master’s, or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or another directly related technical discipline.
15+ years of professional experience designing laser, optical, and electro-optical systems for defense or high-reliability applications.
Experience integrating RF photonics with laser and optical systems, including RF signal modulation, RF-over-fiber architectures, and photonic control systems.
Experience developing and integrating prototype optical systems, including optical alignment, system testing, verification, and embedded control development.
Experience modeling and simulating optical and photonic systems using analytical or computational methods, including fiber lasers, atmospheric propagation, Raman and erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), and transient control models.
Experience developing embedded firmware for high-speed optical and RF control systems, including closed-loop control applications.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs), EDFA transient suppression algorithms, wavelength-selective switch (WSS) systems, or RF photonic switching architectures.
Experience with EO/IR countermeasure systems, high-power laser effects, or atmospheric physics applied to DoD or Intelligence Community mission requirements.
Experience designing and implementing automated test systems, optical manufacturing processes, or yield improvement strategies.
Experience in quantum optics, advanced photonics, nonlinear fiber optics, or free-space laser communication systems.
Experience collaborating with defense prime contractors, component vendors, and manufacturing partners to advance technologies from prototype development to system integration or production.
Experience supporting technical capture activities, preparing technical proposals, and conducting technical discussions with customers.
Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams with responsibility for technical design decisions, system integration, and project execution.

Responsibilities

Serve as the senior technical authority for laser, photonic, and RF photonic systems across multiple programs and divisions.
Architect integrated optical/RF systems incorporating high-power fiber lasers, doped fiber amplifiers, EDFA/ROADM subsystems, free-space optical terminals, and RF-over-fiber photonic links.
Lead end-to-end system engineering, including optical and RF link budgets, atmospheric propagation modeling, laser/optical power chain analysis, high-speed modulation and RF photonics signal transport, and optical modem waveform development and optimization.
Direct development of embedded control algorithms for real-time optical and RF photonic subsystems.
Conduct hands-on laboratory prototyping, alignment, verification, optical assembly integration, and optical communications testing.
Provide Fellow-level technical leadership for IRAD strategy, technology maturation, competitive discrimination, and capture activities.
Engage government stakeholders in technical reviews, demonstrations, and concept development aligned with Photonic Systems mission needs.
Work with manufacturing engineering, supply chain partners, and vendors to transition prototypes to production-ready designs.
Lead multidisciplinary teams spanning optical design, RF engineering, embedded firmware, and system architecture.
Mentor junior engineers and grow photonics and RF photonics capability across the organization.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Short-term disability
Long-term disability
401(k) match
Flexible spending accounts
Flexible work schedules
Employee assistance program
Employee Scholar Program
Parental leave
Paid time off
Holidays
Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be available, depending on position level and collective-bargaining coverage.
Relocation eligible