Optical Engineer

Technology Project Managers, Inc; Greenbelt (MD); On-site; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Technology Project Managers, Inc. (TPM) is seeking an Optical Systems Engineer to design, integrate, validate, and optimize complex optical systems for spaceflight instrumentation and aerospace applications.

You will work across multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-reliability solutions for NASA missions. Role emphasizes requirements development, V&V planning, and alignment with mission objectives; on-site in Greenbelt, MD, with a focus on imaging, LIDAR, and spectrometer systems.

Qualifications

• BS in Aerospace Systems engineering, physics or related field.
• 5+ years of optical systems engineering experience, preferably in aerospace.
• Strong understanding of optical design principles and systems engineering processes.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate in end-to-end systems engineering lifecycle for optical subsystems, including requirements, architecture, design, integration and verification.
• Develop and manage optical system requirements with traceability to mission objectives.
• Define and execute verification and validation plans for optical payloads.
• Follow NASA CM policies and maintain configuration management.
• Design and analyze optical systems (imaging, LIDAR, spectrometers, telescopes).
• Conduct optical modeling to assess stray light, wavefront error, thermal effects, and alignment performance.
• Support assembly, integration, and test activities for flight hardware.
• Prepare technical documentation (SRDs, ICDs, PDR/CDR/TRR).
• Work onsite in Greenbelt, 9-5, M-F.

Skills

Optical design principles

Systems engineering

V-model

Traceability

Optical modeling

Education

BS in Aerospace Systems Engineering or related fields

Tools

Zemax

Code V

MATLAB

Job description

Technology Project Managers, Inc (TPM) is currently seeking an Optical Systems Engineer, to support advanced aerospace programs aligned with NASA missions. This role focuses on the design, integration, optimization, and validation of complex optical systems used in spaceflight instrumentation, remote sensing, navigation, and scientific payloads. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in optical engineering with strong systems engineering discipline—capable of working across multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-reliability solutions in demanding aerospace environments.

TPM brings a team of seasoned Engineers with a proven history of delivering high-performance systems engineering, integration, and aerospace operations services to civil and defense agencies. TPM provides these services throughout all phases of the program life cycle and across the entire space systems architecture, including space and ground assets.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate in the end-to-end systems engineering lifecycle for optical subsystems, including requirements definition, architecture development, design, integration, and verification.
• Develop and manage optical system requirements, ensuring traceability to mission-level objectives.
• Define and execute verification & validation (V&V) plans for optical payloads and subsystems
• Assure program Configuration Management (CM) policies are followed as per NASA standards.
• Design and analyze optical systems such as: Imaging systems (visible, IR, UV), LIDAR and laser-based instruments, Spectrometers and telescopes
• Conduct optical modeling and simulation (e.g., stray light, wavefront error, thermal effects, boresight alingment Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance analysis).
• Support assembly, integration, and test (AIT) activities for flight hardware.
• Prepare and present technical documentation, including: System Requirements Documents (SRDs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Design Review materials (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.)
• Ability to work onsite in Greenbelt, 9-5, M-F

Minimum Qualifications:

Clearance: American Citizen or Green Card holder, Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Government security clearance (public trust)

Education:

• BS in Aerospace System engineering, physics or other related fields (mechanical, electrical).
• 5+ years (or equivalent advanced experience) in optical systems engineering, preferably in aerospace.
• Strong understanding of: Optical design principles, Systems engineering processes (e.g., V-model), Space environment constraints (thermal, radiation, vibration)
• Experience with industry tools (e.g., Zemax, Code V, MATLAB, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to work on complex, multidisciplinary aerospace programs

Highly desired qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting NASA or major aerospace primes.
• Expertise in laser systems, remote sensing, navigation and inertial systems or space-based optical instrumentation
• Familiarity with cleanroom operations and precision optical alignment.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities
• Systems thinking with attention to detail
• Analytical problem-solving in high-stakes environments
• Strong communication across technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Innovation and adaptability in cutting-edge R&D programs

Other Skills and Qualifications:

Government contracting and contracts capture, Networking, Prospecting, Public Speaking, Research, Writing, Closing Skills, Prospecting Skills, Identification of Customer Needs and Challenges, Market Knowledge, Professionalism, CRM, and Microsoft Office.

As a growing engineering company, Technology Project Managers, Inc. is developing a team of engineers and program management professionals to work with its client partners to bring proven performance to our customer’s toughest challenges. Join us at Technology Project Managers, INC, where we are engineering a better tomorrow. Technology Project Managers, INC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status or disability status.