Principal Electro-Optical Infrared Design, Assembly, Integration, and Test Engineer

The Boeing Company; Huntington Beach (CA); On-site; USD 211,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

The Boeing Company in Huntington Beach, CA is seeking a Principal Electro-Optical Infrared Design, Assembly, Integration, and Test Engineer (Level 6) to lead a satellite development program. This role requires active U.S.

security clearance, 9+ years in mission systems design, and strong optical/EO-IR engineering expertise. You will mentor engineers, interface with EO/IR suppliers, and ensure cost, schedule, and technical objectives are met on site.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or related field.
• Active U.S. Secret Security Clearance required (or recent clearance active).
• 9+ years in design of mission systems, sensors, or sensing systems.
• 15+ years of engineering experience.
• Experience with space and/or airborne systems and optical design.
• Experience with opto-mechanical/electromechanical designs and systems integration.
• Experience in Zemax/CodeV and optical modeling; MATLAB/Mathematica for EO/IR simulations.
• Willing to travel up to 25% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Drives technical excellence in Optical Sensor development activities.
• Troubleshoots sensor design and integration issues with telescope and focal plane.
• Provides technical leadership to SMS and BTI sensor teams.
• Interfaces with EO/IR suppliers as primary technical contact.
• Approves technical approaches, products, and processes with program leadership.
• Ensures mission success and rapid anomaly resolution.
• Mentors Optical Sensor Engineers and Technicians; performs TLE functions.
• Promotes best practices to meet cost, schedule, and quality goals.
• Captures lessons learned for future programs.
• Coordinates with Boeing leadership on technical strategy.
• Resolves complex issues affecting milestones and program execution.
• Supports cross-functional collaboration across SMS/BTI.

Skills

Security clearance

Project leadership

Optical design

Systems engineering

Travel 25%

Modeling & simulation

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

Code V

Matlab

Mathematica

CAD tools

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.

Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) is seeking a Principal Electro-Optical Infrared Design, Assembly, Integration, and Test Engineer (Level 6) for a satellite development program in Huntington Beach or El Segundo, California. This position will lead a team of engineers, analysts and staff within the Space and Missile Systems (SMS) and Boeing Technology and Innovation (BTI) Mission Systems organizations in the development, assembly, integration, and test of a constellation of satellites. The SMS and BTI organizations develop and capture technology for designing disruptive Mission Systems solutions. Focused on visible and infrared spectrum Electro-Optics Infrared (EO/IR) sensors operating in Space and Air domains, our growing team is leaping ahead of our competition with an exceptional mix of mission architectures, sensor designs, and algorithms for advanced image and data processing.

Position Responsibilities:

• Drives technical excellence throughout all Optical Sensor development activities
• Troubleshoots sensor design and integration issues with the telescope and sensor focal plane
• Provides technical leadership to SMS and BTI sensor teams
• Serves as the primary technical interface with the EO/IR suppliers
• Provides oversight and approval of technical approaches, products and processes. Works closely with program manager, program chief engineer, and other Boeing teams
• Ensure mission success and prompt resolution of anomalies
• Provides mentoring and coaching to Optical Sensor Engineers and Technicians
• Performs Technical Lead Engineer (TLE) functions for assigned mentees
• Drives best practices to meet program’s cost, schedule, quality and technical objectives
• Captures lessons learned and best practices for implementation on future programs
• Resolves complex problems impacting completion of program milestones
• Coordinates with Boeing Leadership and Customer Leadership on Technical Issues and Strategy

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at the listed location.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/ Experience):

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (with a focus in Electrical, Mechanical or Aeronautical), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement
• This position requires an active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required), (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)
• 9+ years of experience with the design of mission systems, sensors, or sensing systems
• 15+ years of engineering experience
• Experience with space and/or airborne systems
• Experience with optical design
• Experience working on opto-mechanical and/or electromechanical designs
• Experience with systems design, integration, and test
• Experience in design and/or modeling electro-optical systems such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or similar
• Experience performing modeling and/or simulation of Electro-Optical and Infrared systems with a technical computing language, such as Matlab or Mathematica
• Experience in electro-optical design and analysis using Zemax, CodeV or an equivalent software design package
• Experience working with optics, including lasers (CW, Pulse), optical alignment, opto-mechanical, and optical metrology
• Willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time both domestically and internationally

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• 20+ years related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Active U.S. TOP SECRET/SSBI security clearance
• Demonstrated experience in the design, development, and/or verification of signal and image collection systems
• Experience with multiple Computer Aided Design (CAD) modeling tools
• Experience with structural analysis of space systems, airborne systems, or electronics systemsExperience with product structure and product data management tools
• Experience with the design and development of EO/IR sensor systems
• Experience working on research and development or prototype programs
• Experience with design, development, testing, and troubleshooting of advanced Electronic Systems, i.e. Electro-Optical Guidance Systems, Radar Tests and/or RF Seeker
• Demonstrated ability to drive closure and resolve complex technical issues/challenges
• Experience working ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) mission solutions
• Experience in the development of processing and dissemination computer algorithms; design, develop and analyze systems and algorithms for the extraction of information from signal and image sensors

Conflict of Interest:

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

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace 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.

Relocation:

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility. Note: Basic relocation will be offered for eligible internal candidates.

Pay and Benefits

At Boeing, 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.

The Boeing Company 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: $210,800 - $285,200

Applications for this position will be accepted until Oct. 09, 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

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Security Clearance

This position requires an active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

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.