Electro-Optical Systems Lead – Spaceflight Lasers

Trinzic; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 154,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

KBR is seeking an Electro-Optical Lead with a strong background in managing the technical development of advanced laser systems and photonics for spaceflight applications. This role combines hands-on engineering, team leadership, and product development ownership, including responsibility for performance, budget, schedule and delivery.

Candidates should have 15+ years in electro-optical engineering and flight hardware experience with NASA/ESA standards, plus cleanroom/optical assembly

Qualifications

• Experience developing lasers and laser systems, including photonics and electronics/electro-optics.
• Experience developing spaceflight hardware.
• Experience leading small engineering teams and serving as a technical manager with budget and schedule responsibility.
• Experience as a PDL or in a comparable product development leadership role.
• Strong technical background combining engineering analysis and hands-on laboratory work.
• 15+ years of experience in electro-optical engineering.
• Flight hardware development or qualification experience for aerospace or space systems.
• Familiarity with cleanroom manufacturing and optical assembly processes.
• Knowledge of laser safety standards and compliance.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and energetic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, analysis, integration, and testing of lasers, laser systems, photonics, and associated electronics.
• Serve as Product Development Leader (PDL), managing technical execution, team resources, budget, schedule, and program risks.
• Lead the development, verification, and qualification of laser hardware for spaceflight applications.
• Provide technical direction and hands-on problem-solving through analytical studies and laboratory testing.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver reliable, high-performance flight hardware that meets mission requirements.
• Serve as the technical authority for advanced electro-optical and laser-based spacecraft systems, providing engineering leadership throughout the design, development, integration, qualification, and flight deployment lifecycle.
• Lead technical risk assessments and development of mitigation strategies to ensure mission success, hardware reliability, and compliance with applicable aerospace standards and requirements.
• Evaluate emerging photonics and electro-optical technologies and provide strategic recommendations to enhance spacecraft system performance, capability, and mission readiness.

Skills

Laser systems

Photonics

Electro-optical engineering

Budget and schedule management

Team leadership

Education

BS in Electrical/Optical Engineering

Tools

Cleanroom manufacturing

Optical assembly processes

Laboratory testing

Job description

KBR is seeking an Electro-Optical Lead with a strong background in managing the technical development of advanced laser systems and photonics for spaceflight applications. This role combines hands-on engineering, team leadership, and product development ownership, including responsibility for performance, budget, schedule and delivery.

Candidates should have 15+ years in electro-optical engineering and flight hardware experience with NASA/ESA standards, plus cleanroom/optical assembly