Lead Optical Engineer — Aerospace & Defense

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Fort Wayne, IN seeks an Optical Design Engineer to develop optical systems for aerospace programs onsite. You will specify and qualify components, benchmark performance, and implement test procedures for UV to LWIR imaging systems.

The role requires strong collaboration and documentation, with DoD security clearance eligibility and a 9/80 schedule. The team focuses on delivering end-to-end optical solutions across multiple domains, combining practical design work with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering with 9+ years of relevant experience; graduate degree with 7+ years; or 13+ years without a degree.
• Experience using Zemax and/or Code V for optical design and analysis.
• Experience with FRED or similar stray light analysis software.

Responsibilities

• Perform optical design and analysis on advanced telescopes, calibrators, and test sets.
• Develop optical budgets and sensitivities (wavefront error, MTF, throughput).
• Support imaging system compliance with specs and drawings; provide modeling and metrology support.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams and document processes clearly.

Skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering

Graduate Degree

Tools

Zemax

Code V

FRED

MATLAB

Job description

L3Harris Technologies in Fort Wayne, IN seeks an Optical Design Engineer to develop optical systems for aerospace programs onsite. You will specify and qualify components, benchmark performance, and implement test procedures for UV to LWIR imaging systems.

The role requires strong collaboration and documentation, with DoD security clearance eligibility and a 9/80 schedule. The team focuses on delivering end-to-end optical solutions across multiple domains, combining practical design work with