Optical Engineer

Leidos LLC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos Defense Space seeks an Optical Engineer to help develop advanced optical payload systems for space missions. You will balance modeling and hands-on lab work, performing design trades, simulations, and experimental validation across visible and infrared bands.

Working with senior engineers and cross-functional teams, you will contribute to diffractive and meta-optics research, document results, and support internal R&D and program efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field with required years of experience.
• US citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain Secret clearance.
• Experience with optical system modeling, simulation, or analysis.
• Lab experience in optical alignment, testing, or characterization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Support design, modeling, and experimental validation of optical systems.
• Contribute to optical system modeling and performance analysis.
• Assist with design trades and system-level evaluations.
• Support development of compact, high-performance payloads.
• Hands-on role in lab activities: alignment, integration, testing, and characterization.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and cross-functional teams.
• Evaluate and mature emerging optical technologies such as diffractive and meta-optics.
• Analyze experimental data to inform design decisions.
• Document results to support internal R&D and program efforts.

Skills

Optical modeling

Analytical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Engineering/Physics/Optics degree

Tools

Zemax

CODE V

COMSOL

Lumerical

GDSII

Job description

What You'll Do:

The Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking an Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in the development of advanced optical payload systems for next-generation space missions. The Space Business Area is transforming space payload solutions for the future through both customer-funded programs and internal research and development (IR&D) efforts focused on enabling new capabilities in space-based sensing. You will support the design, modeling, and experimental validation of optical systems operating in the visible and infrared spectrum. You will contribute to optical system modeling and performance analysis, assist with design trades and system-level evaluations, and support the development of compact, high-performance payloads. You will also play a hands‑on role in laboratory activities, including optical alignment, integration, testing, and characterization of components and prototype systems. Working closely with senior engineers and cross‑functional teams, you will help evaluate and mature emerging optical technologies—such as diffractive and meta‑optics—analyze experimental data to inform design decisions, and document results to support internal R&D and program efforts. This position emphasizes a balance of analytical and experimental work. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across simulation and laboratory environments and is motivated to grow technical expertise in both domains.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related field with 8+ years of experience or a Master’s degree with 6+ years of prior relevant experience.
• May possess a Doctorate in technical domain.
• US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Experience with optical system modeling, simulation, or analysis.
• Familiarity with optical performance metrics such as PSF, MTF, encircled energy, and radiometric considerations.
• Experience working in a laboratory environment, including optical alignment, testing, or characterization.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain a higher‑level clearance (TS/SCI).
• Experience with infrared optical systems or sensors.
• Hands‑on experience with experimental optics, optical testbed development, and optical metrology.
• Experience with optical design tools such as Zemax or CODE V.
• Experience with modeling tools such as COMSOL, Lumerical, or equivalent.
• Experience with electronic design automation tools and file formats (e.g., GDSII).
• Exposure to advanced optical technologies such as diffractive optics, meta‑optics, or integrated photonics.

Why Leidos?

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large‑scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions. If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay Range

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.