Optical Engineer

Booz Allen Hamilton; Dahlgren (VA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton is seeking an Optical Engineer to support testing and development of state‑of‑the‑art directed energy weapon systems for the U.S. Navy.

The role emphasizes optics, lasers, and EO sensor integration within multidisciplinary teams to advance mission capabilities. The team conducts rigorous testing, data collection, and analysis to ensure performance and reliability, with opportunities to contribute to cutting‑edge weapon technologies and national security objectives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with optical test equipment and alignment of optical components.
• Experience in labs including designing test setups and recording data.
• Experience in laser systems and opto-mechanics, coatings, characterization.
• Experience with image processing for object tracking and EO sensor testing.
• Bachelor's degree in Optics, Physics or Electrical Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Support testing and validation of EO components for integration into HEL weapons.
• Collaborate with mechanical, optical, and software teams to develop optical systems.
• Develop test plans, collect data, and report meaningful results.
• Assist in evaluating laser systems and maintaining test environments.

Skills

Optical test equipment

Alignment of optical components

Labs test setup design

Laser systems experience

Image processing for tracking

Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optics/Physics/EE

Tools

FRED

Zemax

MATLAB

WaveTrain

SolidWorks

Job description

Join a culture of empowerment and connectivity.

Develop your craft

Learn the skills you need to accelerate your career.

Discover benefits that your life and work.

Innovate with intention

Build mission-ready tech that protects the nation.

What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U.S. Navy's directed energy portfolio? As an optical engineer, you understand the power behind complex systems.That knowledge is key when it comes to the support and testing of electro-optic ( EO ) components for integration into high energy laser ( HEL ) weapon s. We’re looking for an optical engineer who can use their skills to support the develop ment and testing of state-of-the-art weapon systems to enhance the capabilities of today's warfighter.

Our team supports the design of state-of-the-art directed energy weapon s systems to enhance warfighter capabilities. That’s why we need you, an optical engineer, who is interested in the testing of weapons systems. You’ll directly impact the U.S. Navy and other Department of War entities by providing optical technical expertise. This is a chance to use your experience -based knowledge in optics and lasers while broadening your skillset. Join us and take on exciting challenges as we support the warfighter with state-of-the-art directed energy capabilities.

Join us. The world can’t wait.

You Have:

• 5+ years of experience with optical test equipment, including oscilloscopes, power met ers, photodiodes, detectors, interfero met ers, wavefront sensors, spectro met ers, or beam profilers
• 5+ years of experience with alignment of optical components, cameras, lasers, or opto-mechanics
• 3+ years of experience in labs including designing test setups, develop ment of test plans, recording data, and reporting meaningful results
• Experience in laser systems, including gain media, pump sources, thermal management and control, opto-mechanics, optical coatings, substrates, characterization and specification, beam shaping, or beam control
• Experience with image processing for object tracking and detection, recognition, and identification, and in the testing of EO sensors as it applies to overall integration into a weapon s system
• Knowledge of the major components and integration of laser systems, including the optical train
• Ability to collaborate with a variety of engineering spe cia lties, such as mechanical, optical, or sof tware, across a functional team in the develop ment of optical systems
• Ability to learn, adapt, and assist in testing of high priority weapons systems in a professional environment
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance
• Bachelor's degree in an Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering field

Nice If You Have:

• 10+ years of experience working with U.S. Navy or other military service laser and EO systems
• 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon systems, including fiber laser technology
• 5+ years of experience with ISR EO technology develop ment, analysis, test and evaluation ( T & E ) , and platform integration
• Experience working with design and analysis sof tware, including FRED, Zemax, WaveTrain, Solidworks, or MATLAB, and creating models using these packages in the design and layout of optical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance ( ISR ) systems
• Experience with pulsed lasers, fiber optics, free-space optics, nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, imaging and radio met ric tools, or integrated photonics
• Experience analyzing the effectiveness of HEL interactions with materials and components, laser propagation theory, and experiment, including modeling and characterizations of laser performance in relevant military environments and ranges
• Knowledge of practical problems asso cia ted with the design, building, integration, and testing of laser weapon s systems
• Master's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field preferred ; Doctorate degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field a plus

Clearance:

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information .

Compensation

At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $77,500.00 to $176,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen’s total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Optical Engineer

The Opportunity:

What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U.S. Navy's directed energy portfolio? As an optical engineer, you understand the power behind complex systems.That knowledge is key when it comes to the support and testing of electro-optic ( EO ) components for integration into high energy laser ( HEL ) weapon s. We’re looking for an optical engineer who can use their skills to support the develop ment and testing of state-of-the-art weapon systems to enhance the capabilities of today's warfighter.

Our team supports the design of state-of-the-art directed energy weapon s systems to enhance warfighter capabilities. That’s why we need you, an optical engineer, who is interested in the testing of weapons systems. You’ll directly impact the U.S. Navy and other Department of War entities by providing optical technical expertise. This is a chance to use your experience -based knowledge in optics and lasers while broadening your skillset. Join us and take on exciting challenges as we support the warfighter with state-of-the-art directed energy capabilities.

Join us. The world can’t wait.

You Have:

• 5+ years of experience with optical test equipment, including oscilloscopes, power met ers, photodiodes, detectors, interfero met ers, wavefront sensors, spectro met ers, or beam profilers
• 5+ years of experience with alignment of optical components, cameras, lasers, or opto-mechanics
• 3+ years of experience in labs including designing test setups, develop ment of test plans, recording data, and reporting meaningful results
• Experience in laser systems, including gain media, pump sources, thermal management and control, opto-mechanics, optical coatings, substrates, characterization and specification, beam shaping, or beam control
• Experience with image processing for object tracking and detection, recognition, and identification, and in the testing of EO sensors as it applies to overall integration into a weapon s system
• Knowledge of the major components and integration of laser systems, including the optical train
• Ability to collaborate with a variety of engineering spe cia lties, such as mechanical, optical, or sof tware, across a functional team in the develop ment of optical systems
• Ability to learn, adapt, and assist in testing of high priority weapons systems in a professional environment
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance
• Bachelor's degree in an Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering field

Nice If You Have:

• 10+ years of experience working with U.S. Navy or other military service laser and EO systems
• 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon systems, including fiber laser technology
• 5+ years of experience with ISR EO technology develop ment, analysis, test and evaluation ( T & E ) , and platform integration
• Experience working with design and analysis sof tware, including FRED, Zemax, WaveTrain, Solidworks, or MATLAB, and creating models using these packages in the design and layout of optical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance ( ISR ) systems
• Experience with pulsed lasers, fiber optics, free-space optics, nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, imaging and radio met ric tools, or integrated photonics
• Experience analyzing the effectiveness of HEL interactions with materials and components, laser propagation theory, and experiment, including modeling and characterizations of laser performance in relevant military environments and ranges
• Knowledge of practical problems asso cia ted with the design, building, integration, and testing of laser weapon s systems
• Master's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field preferred ; Doctorate degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field a plus

Clearance:

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information .

Compensation

At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.

Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $77,500.00 to $176,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen’s total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

Identity Statement

As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.

Work Model

Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.

• Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.

• Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.

• Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.