Mechanical Engineer II - Optronics (Onsite)

Prattwhitney; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 76,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Three weeks vacation

401(k)

Job summary

RTX in Carlsbad is seeking a skilled Opto-Mechanical Engineer to design, analyze, and test precision optical systems from concept through production. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams including optical engineering, electronics, manufacturing, and quality to ensure robust mechanical designs and manufacturability.

The role emphasizes tolerance and thermal analyses, CAD development in Creo, and hands-on prototyping and verification in a regulated aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Requires STEM degree and 2+ years of relevant experience.
• 2+ years of opto-mechanical design experience, especially for harsh environments.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical design of optical and opto-electrical assemblies, including lens housings, fixtures, mounts, and alignment mechanisms.
• Perform tolerance analysis, thermal analysis, structural analysis, and material selection to ensure high performance and reliability.
• Work with optical engineers to translate system-level optical requirements into robust mechanical designs.
• Develop 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, and documentation following engineering standards.
• Conduct design reviews, prototype evaluation, and root-cause investigations for design-related issues.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and suppliers to optimize designs for manufacturability and cost.
• Drive continuous improvement through innovative design methods and emerging technologies.
• Support technical research and contribute to continuous process improvement activities.

Skills

Opto-mechanical design

Harsh environments experience

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field

Tools

Creo

ASME Y14.5-2018 GD&T

Finite element analysis (Ansys)

Job description

Mechanical Engineer II - Optronics (Onsite)

Date Posted: 2026-09-03

Country: United States of America

Location: US-CA-CARLSBAD-582 ~ 2752 Loker Ave W ~ LOKER

Position Role Type: Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status: Not Required

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world's most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

At Collins Aerospace Optronics, we design and develop high precision optical systems for space, airborne, simulator and body-worn environments. We are seeking a skilled Opto-Mechanical Engineer to join our engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for the design, analysis, development, integration and testing of precision optical and visual display systems. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including optical engineering, electronics, manufacturing, and quality—to bring complex products from concept through production. The candidate will apply knowledge of mechanical design and fabrication processes, such as design-to-cost, component selection, engineering procurement, and engineering lab processes.

What You Will Do

• Mechanical design of optical and opto-electrical assemblies, including lens housings, fixtures, mounts, and alignment mechanisms.
• Perform tolerance analysis, thermal analysis, structural analysis, and material selection to ensure high performance and reliability.
• Work with optical engineers to translate system-level optical requirements into robust mechanical designs.
• Develop 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, and documentation following engineering standards.
• Conduct design reviews, prototype evaluation, and root-cause investigations for design-related issues.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and suppliers to optimize designs for manufacturability and cost.
• Drive continuous improvement through innovative design methods and emerging technologies.
• Support technical research and contribute to continuous process improvement activities.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and minimum 2 years of prior relevant experience or an Advanced Degree in a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in opto-mechanical design, particularly for products used in harsh environments.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field.
• Strong proficiency with CAD tools (e.g. Creo).
• Understanding of precision mechanical design principles, ASME Y14.5-2018 GD&T, and tolerance stack-ups.
• Experience designing components for optical systems such as lenses, lasers, sensors, and imaging assemblies.
• Hands-on experience with prototyping, metrology, testing, and verification of opto-mechanical assemblies.
• Knowledge of thermal management, material science, adhesives, and mounting techniques used in optical systems.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Experience with spaceborne, airborne, or ruggedized optical systems.
• Opto-mechanical, electro-mechanical or visual displays experience.
• Familiarity with cleanroom practices and optical assembly techniques.
• Proficient with hand tools and light power tools.
• Background in finite element analysis (Modal, Shock and Random Vibration) with preference on Ansys workbench experience.
• Experience working in regulated industries such as aerospace or defense.

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Three weeks of vacation for newly hired employees
• Generous 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds and separate employer retirement contribution, including a Lifetime Income Strategy option
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages you can buy pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Ovia Health, fertility, and family planning
• Adoption Assistance
• Autism Benefit
• Employee Assistance Plan, including up to 10 free counseling sessions
• Healthy You Incentives, wellness rewards program
• Doctor on Demand, virtual doctor visits
• Bright Horizons, child and elder care services
• Teladoc Medical Experts, second opinion program
• Eligible for relocation assistance
• And more!

Salary range for this role is 75,800 USD - 144,200 USD.

Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses - Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.