System Engineer Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Must have a BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical area and at least 5–10+ years of related experience in optical design and engineering (mid-to-senior level).
• Must have experience with a BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a highly related technical area.
• Must have proven track record of designing, tolerancing, and analyzing complex refractive and reflective optical systems and elements.
• Must have extensive experience with optical design software, specifically Zemax OpticStudio, for ray tracing, optimization, and tolerancing.
• Must have extensive experience with opto-mechanical packaging and CAD design tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor, Creo, or equivalent) to bridge the gap between optical design and mechanical implementation.
• Must have demonstrated experience working with both visible and infrared (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR) wavelengths, including material selection, coatings, and thermal effects.
• Must have higher-level language programming skills (Matlab, Python, or equivalent) for data analysis, optical test automation, and design visualization.
• Must have a passion for solving complex optical and physical problems and providing workable hardware solutions.
• Must have a strong analytical and reasoning skills with the ability to visualize complex 3D optical/laser systems.
• Must have excellent all-around communication skills with a proven ability to work individually and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Must be self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
• Must have customer service orientation experience.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related degree, preferred.
• Deep experience in stray light analysis (using Zemax, FRED, ASAP, or equivalent) and environmental/thermal analysis of optical systems, preferred.
• Extensive experience with HWIL simulation equipment, such as Laser and/or Electro-optical Infrared (EOIR) Scene Projectors, collimators, blackbody sources, sensors, and target generators, preferred.
• Experience in secondary optical design platforms like Code V or OSLO, preferred.
• Experience with Department of Defense (DoD) programs and military standards (MIL-SPEC) for optical component fabrication and testing, preferred.
• Active Secret clearance, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced optical engineering, lens design, opto-mechanical integration, testing, verification, and analysis expertise for scene projection and weapon system integration and test activities.
• Serve as an optical engineering and lens design subject matter expert (SME) and coordinate with other optical and mechanical hardware engineers.
• Perform end-to-end design of refractive and reflective optical systems (including lens, mirror, and prism design) utilizing Zemax OpticStudio, spanning visible and infrared (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR) wavelengths.
• Utilize opto-mechanical CAD software to model, package, and analyze optical components, mounts, and systems, ensuring structural and thermal stability.
• Develop custom laser and optical solutions for testing seekers/sensors, managing optical trade studies, tolerancing, and stray light analysis.
• Support hands-on laboratory activities including the assembly, alignment, and optical testing (e.g., interferometry, MTF measurement, wavefront analysis) of developed systems.
• Perform configuration, radiometric calibration, and operation of specialized HWIL equipment in support of missile sensors/seekers and other electro-optical sensors.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge to resolve complex opto-mechanical and optical performance anomalies.
• Collaborate continuously with cross-functional engineering teams, providing mentorship to junior optical engineers and physicists.
• Support the preparation of regular program status reports, technical design reviews (CoDR, PDR, CDR), and presentations for senior leadership and government customers.
• Identify and mitigate optical program risks while developing robust technical contingency plans.

Benefits

• medical/dental/vision options
• company paid life and disability insurances
• 401k with match
• education reimbursement
• company paid holidays
• paid time off (PTO)