Optical Engineer – Space Payloads & Advanced Optics

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

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.