Lead Infrared Optical Design Engineer

RTX; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Relocation assistance

Job summary

RTX is seeking a Principal Optical Design Engineer in Tucson, AZ to lead infrared imaging system design from concept to production. The role requires expert tolerancing, stray-light analysis, and cross-functional collaboration with opto-mechanical, detector, cryogenic, and systems engineers.

Candidates should have a STEM degree with multiple years of experience (or an advanced degree with fewer years) and hands-on experience with CODE V, Zemax, MATLAB, and stray-light tools (FRED/ASAP).

Qualifications

• Typically requires a STEM degree with 8+ years experience or an advanced degree with 5+ years of related work.

Responsibilities

• Lead optical design and analysis of infrared imaging systems and seekers.
• Perform detailed optical tolerancing and sensitivity analyses to ensure producibility and performance margin.
• Conduct stray light analysis and ghost assessments to support high signal-to-noise imaging performance.
• Support optical fabrication, vendor engagement, and prototype build activities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with opto-mechanical, detector, cryogenic, and systems engineers.
• Support system integration, alignment planning, and optical performance validation.
• Ensure technical performance, cost, and schedule objectives are met across development phases.
• Contribute to design reviews and documentation throughout development and transition to production.

Skills

Infrared imaging design

Optical tolerancing

MATLAB

CODE V

Zemax

FRED/ASAP stray light tools

Education

STEM degree

Tools

CODE V

Zemax

FRED

ASAP

MATLAB

Job description

RTX is seeking a Principal Optical Design Engineer in Tucson, AZ to lead infrared imaging system design from concept to production. The role requires expert tolerancing, stray-light analysis, and cross-functional collaboration with opto-mechanical, detector, cryogenic, and systems engineers.

Candidates should have a STEM degree with multiple years of experience (or an advanced degree with fewer years) and hands-on experience with CODE V, Zemax, MATLAB, and stray-light tools (FRED/ASAP).