Lead Optical Engineer – Seeker Systems (Secret)

Northrop Grumman; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 108,200 - 162,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Company paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Chandler, AZ is seeking a Principal Optical Engineer to lead optical design for imaging and sensing systems. The role emphasizes opto‑mechanical integration, environmental robustness, and collaboration across engineering teams within the Launch Vehicles unit.

The successful candidate will manage optical requirements, tolerance allocations, and documentation, while guiding CAD models and test activities to ensure mission success under challenging conditions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in a technical field with relevant optical experience.
• Active U.S. Government Secret clearance at time of application.
• Experience with imaging/sensing/ seeker optical systems.
• Understanding of how structural/thermal environments affect imaging quality and LOS.
• Proficiency with optical modeling and CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze optical systems for imaging and sensing applications.
• Perform optical performance analyses (MTF, LOS stability, tolerancing).
• Develop optical error budgets considering alignment, manufacturing, thermal effects.
• Collaborate with opto-mechanical, systems, electrical, and manufacturing engineers.
• Support laboratory and environmental test activities (alignment, calibration, verification).
• Participate in design reviews and present analyses and test results.
• Troubleshoot and update designs based on test data.

Skills

Optical design

Imaging systems

Tolerancing

Wavefront analysis

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering/Physics/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Optical Engineering/Physics/Mechanical Engineering

PhD in Optical Engineering or related field (preferred)

Tools

ZEMAX

Code V

FRED

Creo

NX

SolidWorks

ANSYS

Job description

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Chandler, AZ is seeking a Principal Optical Engineer to lead optical design for imaging and sensing systems. The role emphasizes opto‑mechanical integration, environmental robustness, and collaboration across engineering teams within the Launch Vehicles unit.

The successful candidate will manage optical requirements, tolerance allocations, and documentation, while guiding CAD models and test activities to ensure mission success under challenging conditions.