Associate, Optical Engineer

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; Florida; On-site; USD 76,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

401(k)

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. is seeking an Associate, Optical Engineer to join its Photonics Engineering team in Palm Bay, FL or Herndon, VA.

You will support design, modeling, measurements, and prototyping under seasoned engineers, with responsibilities tailored to your background and program needs. This entry-level role emphasizes learning and collaboration across sensing, communications, and information-processing systems.

Qualifications

• To be eligible, applicants must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, with degree completion by the employment start date; or have completed their Bachelor’s degree within the last 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, analysis, assembly, integration, and testing of optical, photonic, and optomechanical components and systems.
• Apply physics and engineering fundamentals to evaluate technical concepts, investigate problems, and recommend improvements.
• Use analysis, modeling, simulation, or computer-aided design tools appropriate to assigned work to support design decisions.
• Conduct assigned optical and photonic laboratory measurements and experiments using established procedures and guidance from experienced engineers.
• Collect and analyze data, assess measurement quality, and compare results with models, specifications, or expected behavior.
• Document methods and results; prepare technical reports and present findings during team discussions and design reviews.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to complete assigned tasks and support development milestones under engineer guidance.

Skills

Mathematics

Physics

Optics

Photonic technologies

Python

MATLAB

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

CAD tools

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Associate, Optical Engineer

Job ID: 43170

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL OR Herndon, VA

Job Schedule: 9/80:Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked, and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

Help develop optical and photonic technologies for sensing, communications, and information processing in an entry-level role with our Photonics Engineering department. With guidance from experienced engineers and scientists, you will support design, modeling, laboratory measurements, prototype testing, and product engineering, with assignments shaped by your background and program needs. You will compare measurements with models or specifications and document results to support design decisions and development milestones. Preparation may come from coursework, laboratory classes, academic projects, undergraduate research, or internships; prior industry experience is not required.

Essential Functions:

• Support the design, analysis, assembly, integration, and testing of optical, photonic, and optomechanical components and systems.
• Apply physics and engineering fundamentals to evaluate technical concepts, investigate problems, and recommend improvements.
• Use analysis, modeling, simulation, or computer-aided design tools appropriate to assigned work to support design decisions.
• Conduct assigned optical and photonic laboratory measurements and experiments using established procedures and guidance from experienced engineers.
• Collect and analyze data, assess measurement quality, and compare results with models, specifications, or expected behavior.
• Document methods and results; prepare technical reports and present findings during team discussions and design reviews.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to complete assigned tasks and support development milestones under engineer guidance. Take responsibility for careful execution and documentation while building proficiency in your technical area and learning how the work fits into broader sensing, communications, and information-processing systems.

• Must be a U.S. person and have the ability to obtain and maintain a TS clearance with SCI eligibility.

Qualifications:

• To be eligible, applicants must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, with degree completion by the employment start date; or have completed their Bachelor’s degree within the last 12 months, regardless of age.

Preferred Additional Skills:

Optional technical experience or familiarity in one or more of the areas below may come from coursework, laboratory classes, academic projects, research, internships, co-ops, direct industry experience, or other applied engineering or research experience:

• Foundational knowledge of mathematics and physics or engineering principles relevant to the applicant’s field of study, including optics, photonics, quantum physics, electromagnetics, electronics, mechanical design, or materials. Related work may include quantum sensing, communications, or information-processing technology modeling, development, or testing; or atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics, including trapped-ion, neutral-atom, Rydberg electric field sensing, or entanglement-enabled systems. Laser systems, optical alignment, imaging, modulation, or pulse control.
• Optical, electronic, radio-frequency (RF), timing, data-acquisition, or other laboratory instrumentation and measurement techniques, including precision measurement, uncertainty analysis, and interpretation of observed system behavior. Python, MATLAB, or comparable tools for calculations, modeling, data analysis, or laboratory automation. Scientific software for quantum-system modeling, laboratory automation, or data acquisition; validation against experimental observations or analytical benchmarks; documentation and presentation of measurement methods, results, and uncertainty with a technical team.
• Computer-aided design, engineering simulation, prototype fabrication, assembly, or testing. Capstone projects or team activities involving device or system design, construction, evaluation, and documentation. Silicon, silicon nitride, indium phosphide, or thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic integrated circuits (PICs), photonic packaging, or electronic-photonic co-integration.
• Waveguide acousto-optic modulators or deflectors, surface acoustic-wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic-wave (BAW) transducers, RF-drive integration, or acousto-optic mode conversion. Programmable RF/microwave photonic circuits, tunable or true-time delay, filtering, frequency conversion, or low-phase-noise photonic sources.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with Poly.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $75,500.00- $140,500.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including relocation stipend, 401(k), EAP, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

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