Optical Systems Engineer (Senior, Principal) - Millennium Space Systems

The Boeing Company; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 174,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, seeks an experienced Optical Systems Engineer to lead the development and validation of EO/IR sensor systems and laser payload interfaces for national security space missions.

The role emphasizes modeling, simulation, and end-to-end system integration with mission data processing teams, hardware vendors, and mission engineers. A US citizenship security clearance is required, with first-shift duties at our CA facility in El Segundo.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required; advanced degrees may supplement years of experience.
• 14+ years industry experience in optical engineering.
• Experience with performance/phenomenology/modeling of space-based EO sensors (3 years).
• Ability to obtain US Citizenship and US security clearance (interim/final) post-start.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate mission and unit level requirements for EO/IR sensors and laser systems.
• Design and implement modeling and simulation of optical systems.
• Develop and execute unit and system level tests on ground and on-orbit to verify performance.
• Manage supplier and partner performance.
• Coordinate work statements, budgets, schedules, and track technical performance for complex projects.
• Support large-scale new business proposals.

Skills

Optical engineering

Phenomenology modeling

Space-based EO sensors

System integration

Security clearance ready

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Job Description

At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.

Millennium Space Systems, a part of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), is a fast, agile small satellite company focused on national security space. Our missions have direct impact to global security, like missile warning and Earth observation.

Our team is curious, bold and innovative. We take risks, innovate and explore new techniques and technologies. We influence change because we challenge the status quo. And when we watch our satellites launch, we know each one of us made it happen.

The Optical Engineering Team provides all optical systems engineering services to Millennium's direct programs, studies, proposals, and Internal Research & Development (IRAD) efforts. They are systems engineers managing interfaces between the space vehicle and Electro-Optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) payloads and laser system/laser communication payloads. The team models mission phenomenology and detection performance of EO/IR and active sensors considering the spectral, spatial, and radiometric attributes of the sensor. They design and develop optical hardware, including star trackers and sensor suites that support autonomous navigation and docking maneuvers. They determine what on-orbit and ground image processing algorithms should be implemented to support mission requirements. They work closely with mission and systems engineering teams, as well as manufacturing and testing teams to lead payload systems efforts end-to-end.

An Optical Systems Engineer possesses a strong background in spaceborne electro-optical sensor technology (visible to infrared; active and passive). You will overseeoptical systemson our programs, ensuring system specifications meet mission needs. You will own mission performance requirements for remote sensing missions and or space-to-space missions, and model mission phenomenology and detection performance. You will be the primary interface between the optical payload, space vehicle team, and mission data processing team, managing interfaces between these elements. Successful Optical Systems Engineers have experience with modeling, simulation, analysis, and calibration of optical hardware.

This position's internal job code is Electrophysics Engr/Scientist. Our team is currently hiring for a Level 5-6.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate mission and unit level requirements for Electro-optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) sensors, Laser systems (Laser rangefinders and Optical Communications Terminals), and space vehicle interfaces
• Design and implement modeling and simulation of optical systems
• Develop and execute unit and system level tests on the ground and on-orbit to verify performance
• Manage supplier and partner performance
• Manage complex projects by coordinating work statements, setting and tracking budget/schedule, and measuring technical performance
• Support large-scale new business proposals

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• 14+ years industry experience in optical engineering (advanced degrees may supplement years of experience)
• Experience with performance/phenomenology/modeling of space-based EO sensors (3 years)
• This position requires the ability to obtain a US Security Clearance for which the US GovernmentrequiresUS Citizenship.An interim and/or final U.S. secret clearance Post Start is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with space-to-space and/or space-to-ground laser communication (3 years)
• Ability to train and mentor other members of the team (5 years)
• 20+ industry experience working with satellite optical instrumentation, design, and/or operation.
• On-orbit experience in the operation and performance validation of OCTs
• Ability to develop and maintain an OCT link budget
• Experience with design, integration, qualification, and test of satellite optical hardware such as EO/IR payloads, star trackers, laser range finders, etc.
• Experience with onboard and ground processing of optical data to extract mission-related information
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Conflict of Interest:

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process

Drug Free Workplace:

Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Total Rewards:

At Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

Millennium Space Systems also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary Pay Range:

Level 5: $146,800 - $208,000

Level 6: $174,000 - $248,000

Millennium is DDTC-registered, ITAR‑compliant Company. This position is located at a facility that requires special access. Applicants MUST be U.S. citizens and eligible for a security clearance. Additionally, applicants must be willing to apply for and maintain a security clearance. We encourage all interested candidates to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified.

Category = Engineering

Applications for this position will be accepted until Sept. 11, 2026

Export Control Requirements:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Export Control Details:

US based job, US Person required

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required

Relocation

Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position.

Security Clearance

This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. An interim and/or final U.S. Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Shift

This position is for 1st shift

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.