Laser Sensing Systems Principal Engineer

Safran Defense & Space, Inc.; Camarillo (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran Defense & Space, Inc. is seeking a Principal Engineer for Laser Sensing Systems in Camarillo, California. This role involves leading technical projects, engaging with customers, and mentoring skills within the team. Candidates should possess extensive experience in defense-related electro-optical systems and the ability to manage cross-disciplinary projects effectively.

The salary range for this position is $180,000 to $240,000 annually, complemented by a management performance bonus plan. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply and contribute to innovation in defense and space applications.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of engineering experience in defense or industrial electro‑optical systems development.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and customer-facing roles.
• Experience with laser sensing systems and related technologies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for laser sensing products.
• Lead design, testing, and troubleshooting of electro‑optical systems.
• Mentor engineers and evaluate new technologies.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Communication skills

Electro-optical systems

Laser sensing systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics

Tools

FPGA-based processing

Laser safety standards

Job description

Safran DSI Business Unit: Attollo Engineering

About Our Mission

Join the forefront of innovation and make an impact at Safran Defense & Space, Inc.! Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI), headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading U.S. aerospace company dedicated to supporting national defense and space missions. As a trusted partner to the U.S. armed forces, government agencies, and commercial sectors, Safran DSI delivers advanced technology solutions through its specialized business units: Assured PNT, Attollo Engineering, Geospatial AI, Optronics, Space Solutions, and Testing & Telemetry. Attollo Engineering is a designer and manufacturer of cutting‑edge infrared cameras and laser sensor systems for defense and industrial applications. Leveraging extensive expertise in the electro‑optical market, systems design, and packaging, Attollo delivers superior solutions for system integrators, original equipment manufacturers, and custom applications. Their commitment to quality engineering empowers Safran DSI to provide innovative and reliable technology to its partners.

If you’re ready to join our mission and serve those who serve, Safran DSI is the perfect place for you to take your career to the next level. Make a real difference and be part of something extraordinary. Apply now and help us build the future of defense and space.

Position Profile

The Laser Sensing Systems Principal Engineer is a high-impact individual contributor role carrying broad technical authority across Attollo's laser sensing product line and adjacent EO/IR technology development. This is not a management role; it is a technical leadership role for an engineer who solves hard problems, mentors teams, engages customers, and gets their hands on hardware. Approximately 40% of the role is external facing (customer engagement, proposals, capture support); 60% is internal (design reviews, lab troubleshooting, mentorship, technical direction).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for laser sensing products, guiding system design, quality, and technical risk decisions.
• Lead the design, integration, testing, and troubleshooting of complex electro‑optical systems.
• Provide hands‑on engineering support, including hardware assembly, system integration, and laboratory troubleshooting.
• Translate customer requirements into system‑level solutions across optical, electrical, mechanical, firmware, and software disciplines.
• Drive resolution of complex technical challenges and lead key design and technical reviews.
• Serve as a technical lead with customers, supporting proposals, business development efforts, and industry engagements.
• Mentor engineers, promote engineering best practices, and strengthen organizational technical capabilities.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies and lead product development from concept through prototyping.
• Align product strategy with program execution to support customer success and business growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need To Be Successful

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or closely related technical discipline.
• 10–15+ years of progressive, hands‑on engineering experience in defense or industrial electro‑optical systems development; significant time at small‑to‑mid‑size companies where wearing multiple hats was expected.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — comfortable authoring technical proposal sections, leading customer‑facing reviews, and presenting to mixed technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Demonstrated full development lifecycle ownership: concept and requirements through design, integration, qualification, production support, and field issues.
• Direct experience as technical lead or POC with defense primes, mid‑tier integrators, and/or government laboratory customers.
• Extensive experience developing and integrating laser sensing systems, including rangefinders, LIDAR, optical proximity sensors, and related electro‑optical technologies.
• Strong knowledge of laser sources, optical receivers, detector technologies, signal processing, and laser safety standards.
• Familiarity with engineering tools standard to EO/IR systems development (simulation, signal analysis, or design review tools as applicable to the role).
• Working expertise in supporting electronics, including analog circuitry, high‑speed timing, FPGA‑based processing, and system‑level troubleshooting.
• Proven ability to define, manage, and negotiate complex system requirements across optical, electrical, mechanical, and environmental domains.
• Strong understanding of IR imaging systems, sensor architectures, image processing, and defense imaging applications.
• Experience with industry‑standard sensor interfaces and communication protocols, including SPI, I²C, UART, Ethernet, CameraLink, and MIL‑STD‑1553.
• Solid foundation in optical design principles and the ability to evaluate system performance and design trade‑offs.
• Knowledge of environmental qualification standards and regulatory requirements applicable to defense and aerospace systems, including MIL‑STD‑810, MIL‑STD‑461, and ITAR/EAR.
• Current or ability to obtain US DoD Secret Security Clearance.
• Requires U.S. Citizenship required.

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Master's degree or PhD in a related discipline.
• Active US DoD Security Clearance.
• Direct experience with handheld target locator modules, laser target designators, fire control systems, guided munition seekers, or proximity fuzing.
• Experience leading or contributing to SBIR/STTR or other government R&D proposals.
• Experience with time‑of‑flight or signal processing architectures.
• Direct experience with laser safety classification, eye‑safety analysis, and certification.
• Experience working in an ITAR environment.

Salary Range

$180,000–$240,000 annual salary, plus participation in management performance bonus plan.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.