EO/IR Assembly, Integration, & Test (AI&T) Lead

NCSL International; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Huntsville, AL seeks a highly motivated EO/IR Assembly, Integration, & Test (AI&T) Lead to drive cross-disciplinary integration of advanced EO/IR sensor systems for defense and aerospace applications. You will lead assembly across electrical, mechanical, and optical domains and manage multi-disciplinary interfaces to ensure successful system integration.

The role involves developing and executing IA&T plans, validating performance, and ensuring compliance with military standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Optical or Systems Engineering with 4–8 years of relevant experience; or Master's with 2–6 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in EO/IR sensor systems or related electro-optical technologies.
• Proven ability to work across electrical, mechanical, and optical disciplines.
• Understanding of EO/IR sensor components including detectors, optics, electronics, and mechanical assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Lead assembly of EO/IR sensor systems, coordinating across electrical, mechanical, and optical engineering disciplines.
• Interface with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of hardware, software, and optical components.
• Develop and execute assembly, integration, and test plans for complex sensor systems.
• Prepare, review, and execute unit build procedures and work instructions for sensor systems.
• Conduct system-level testing, calibration, and validation in lab and field environments.
• Ensure the lab and production environments meet military standards (AS9100).
• Troubleshoot and resolve multi-disciplinary integration issues.
• Manage technical interfaces between detectors, optics, electronics, and mechanical assemblies.
• Document integration processes, test procedures, results, and specifications.
• Participate in design/integration reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support system commissioning, acceptance testing, and delivery activities.
• Support manufacturing and production planning.

Skills

Systems integration

EO/IR sensor systems

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Problem-solving

US Citizenship

Final Secret Clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Systems Engineering

Tools

Optical test benches

Thermal imaging equipment

Signal analyzers

Job description

The EO/IR Subsystem & Seeker Development Portfolio at Leidos is seeking a highly motivated EO/IR Assembly, Integration, & Test (AI&T) Lead to join our dynamic team in the development of cutting-edge EO/IR sensor systems. This role is critical in supporting the cross-functional integration and testing of advanced electro-optical and infrared sensor systems that enhance our capabilities in defense and aerospace applications. The ideal candidate will have a background in systems assembly and integration across electrical, mechanical, and optical domains, with a passion for innovative technology and proven experience in the development or integration of electro-optical technology.

Our program focuses on the development of state-of-the-art EO/IR sensor systems that are integral to modern defense solutions. These systems are designed to provide enhanced target detection and tracking capabilities, ensuring superior performance in various operational environments. As part of our team, you will contribute to the advancement of technologies that protect and serve and work alongside a skilled team of engineers, scientists, and software developers to design and develop new and existing solutions to support future fielded systems.

Primary/Daily Responsibilities:

• Lead assembly of EO/IR sensor systems, coordinating across electrical, mechanical, and optical engineering disciplines.
• Interface with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of hardware, software, and optical components.
• Develop and execute assembly, integration, and test plans for complex sensor systems, ensuring compliance with performance specifications and requirements.
• Prepare, review, and execute unit build procedures and work instructions of sensor systems in adherence to a low-rate production build schedule.
• Conduct system-level testing, calibration, and validation of EO/IR sensors in laboratory and field environments.
• Ensure the laboratory and production environments meet military standards and regulations for quality control, FOD control, ESD protection, etc. (AS9100)
• Troubleshoot and resolve multi-disciplinary integration issues spanning electrical, mechanical, thermal, and optical domains.
• Manage technical interfaces between subsystems, including detectors, optics, electronics, and mechanical assemblies.
• Document integration processes, test procedures, test results, and technical specifications for project records.
• Participate in design reviews, integration reviews, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support system commissioning, acceptance testing, and delivery activities.
• Support manufacturing and production planning.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field, and 4 - 8 years of prior relevant experience; or Masters with 2 - 6 years of prior relevant experience; Additional education, experience or training will be considered in lieu of degree.
• Experience in systems integration, with specific focus on EO/IR sensor systems or related electro-optical technologies.
• Proven experience working across multiple engineering disciplines (electrical, mechanical, optical).
• Understanding of EO/IR sensor components including detectors, optics, electronics, and mechanical assemblies.
• Experience with system-level testing, integration procedures, and validation methodologies.
• Proficiency with test equipment and instrumentation relevant to EO/IR systems (e.g., optical test benches, thermal imaging equipment, signal analyzers).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Must be a resident or willing to relocate to the Huntsville, AL area.
• Candidate must be a US Citizen and possess (and be able to maintain) a Final Secret Clearance or meet the eligibility to obtain (and maintain) a Secret Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with infrared sensor technology, seeker systems, and targeting systems.
• Knowledge of thermal management and environmental testing for sensor systems.
• Experience with military standards and regulations related to defense systems (e.g., MIL-STD-810, MIL-STD-461).
• Familiarity with Ubuntu or other Linux-based operating systems.
• Knowledge of software programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C/C++) for test automation and data analysis.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes including tooling, kitting, quality control, and 5S/Lean.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

October 27, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.