Optical Engineer

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

Job summary

Booz Allen Hamilton is seeking an Optical Engineer to support testing of state-of-the-art EO systems for Navy programs. You will apply optics and lasers expertise to test, analyze, and validate components and subsystems in challenging environments.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across mechanical, optical, and software disciplines, contribute to test plans, and help ensure mission readiness for defense applications while maintaining security clearances as required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with optical test equipment such as oscilloscopes, power meters, photodiodes, detectors, and spectrometers.
• 5+ years of experience aligning optical components, cameras, lasers, or opto-mechanics.
• 3+ years in labs designing test setups, recording data, and reporting results.
• Experience in laser systems including gain media, pump sources, thermal management, coatings, substrates, characterization and beam control.
• Experience with image processing for object tracking and EO sensor testing for weapons system integration.
• Knowledge of major laser system components and the optical train.
• Ability to collaborate with mechanical, optical, or software teams.
• Ability to learn, adapt, and assist in testing high priority weapons systems.
• Ability to obtain a Secret clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in optics, physics, or electrical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Support testing of state-of-the-art EO components and directed energy weapon systems.
• Provide optical technical expertise for Navy and Department of Defense programs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, test, and integrate optical systems.
• Analyze test data and report meaningful results to project teams.

Skills

Optical test equipment

Optical alignment

Test setup design

Laser systems

Image processing

Optics components

Cross-functional collaboration

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optics/Physics/EE

Tools

FRED

Zemax

WaveTrain

Solidworks

MATLAB

Job description

Optical Engineer The Opportunity:

What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U.S. Navy? 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. We’re looking for an optical engineer who can use their skills to support the testing of state-of-the-art weapon systems to enhance the capabilities of today's warfighter. Our team supports testing of state-of-the-art directed energy weapons systems. 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 meters, photodiodes, detectors, interferometers, wavefront sensors, spectrometers, 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, development 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 weapons system
• Knowledge of the major components and integration of laser systems, including the optical train
• Ability to collaborate with a variety of engineering specialties, such as mechanical, optical, or software, across a functional team in the development 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 development, analysis, test and evaluation (T&E), and platform integration
• Experience working with design and analysis software, 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 radiometric 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 associated with the design, building, integration, and testing of laser weapons 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.

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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. 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 or customer facility, in alignment with your leadership's expectations and the needs of the role. Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed full‑time at a 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.

About Booz Allen

Booz Allen is an advanced technology company. We build commercial‑grade products and solutions for America’s most critical defense, civil, and national security priorities.

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.

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