Lead Optical Engineer – High-Power Lasers

Northrop Grumman; Redondo Beach (CA); On-site; USD 125,300 - 187,900; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Redondo Beach, CA, seeks a Principal Engineer Optical to join our team, developing and integrating high-power laser subsystems for national security and civilian missions.

The role requires a STEM degree with laser experience (5+ years for Bachelor’s, 3+ for Master’s, 1+ for PhD), solid-state laser work, and the ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. government security clearance. US citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 5+ years of laser experience; or Master’s with 3+ years; or Ph.D. with 1+ year of laser experience.
• Experience with high-power solid-state laser systems, including fiber lasers and amplifiers.
• Laser system integration background with hardware requirements and testing.
• Ability to set up and perform system tests, including free-space optical beam trains and diagnostics.
• Ability to present briefing packages to internal and external customers, communicating technical approaches and findings.
• US citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain an active U.S. Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Integration & test of solid-state laser systems, including CW and pulsed, fiber and slab technologies.
• Support optical and opto-mechanical design of high-power laser systems with free-space beam paths.
• Apply technical optics knowledge to laser and related disciplines.
• Laser product development and productization of laser technology.
• Develop technical solutions to complex problems requiring ingenuity.
• Work independently and as part of larger engineering teams.

Skills

Laser experience

High-power lasers

System integration

Test & diagnostics

Briefing to customers

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

Ph.D. in STEM

Tools

Code V

Zemax

Job description

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Redondo Beach, CA, seeks a Principal Engineer Optical to join our team, developing and integrating high-power laser subsystems for national security and civilian missions.

The role requires a STEM degree with laser experience (5+ years for Bachelor’s, 3+ for Master’s, 1+ for PhD), solid-state laser work, and the ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. government security clearance. US citizenship is required.