Principal Electro-Optical Systems Engineer

Twenty-Six Defense; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 schedule off Fridays

401(k) program

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Life Insurance

Flexible vacation/PTO

Parental Leave

Employee Referral Program

Voluntary Benefits

Tricare supplement

Job summary

Twenty-Six Defense seeks an experienced Electro-Optics Engineer to join our Roanoke, VA team. The role demands advanced knowledge across imaging, laser, and display technologies, with responsibilities spanning specification development, design evaluation, and cross‑functional collaboration.

The position requires coordinating experiments, translating results into design criteria, and supporting production qualification testing. Occasional travel and government clearance readiness are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Optics, Physics, or Engineering) with 10 years of experience or master’s degree and 8 years' experience.
• Extensive knowledge of electro-optics engineering with imaging system design, laser systems, or displays.

Responsibilities

• Develop product/system performance specifications for designs.
• Evaluate and select optimum design alternatives.
• Determine design feasibility and ensure competitive product designs.
• Lead or supervise material and process selection for components.
• Lead experiments to evaluate operating characteristics of products or processes.
• Evaluate prototypes and translate results into design criteria.
• Help establish production qualification testing for new systems.

Skills

Thermal cameras

Low light cameras

Imaging optics

Micro-displays

Security clearance ability

Education

BS in Engineering (Optics/Physics) with 10 years experience

Job description

Company Information Twenty-Six Defense, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading provider of high-performance products, system solutions, and aftermarket support services focusing on the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation markets. With facilities throughout the U.S., Twenty-Six Defense supports those who contribute to the national security of the United States. Twenty-Six Defense is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT), a global high-technology company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications.

Company Information Twenty-Six Defense, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is a leading provider of high-performance products, system solutions, and aftermarket support services focusing on the defense, homeland security, and commercial aviation markets. With facilities throughout the U.S., Twenty-Six Defense supports those who contribute to the national security of the United States. Twenty-Six Defense is wholly owned by Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT and TASE: ESLT), a global high-technology company engaged in a wide range of programs for innovative defense and commercial applications.

Job Summary

This is an experienced level position where the incumbent must possess an advanced level of electro-optics engineering knowledge and be competent in all aspects of broad areas of technical assignment. Technical tasks at this level are in areas where technical requirements are understood, but design implementation is not defined, are of substantial complexity, and may involve the development of new improved techniques and procedures. Project assignments may require the planning, scheduling and coordinating of tasks of significant scope or complexity with other departments or programs and frequent customer contact to explain methods, techniques or for the presentation of data to resolve issues or provide solutions to technical problems. This position is in the Roanoke, VA facility with limited business travel, as needed.

Responsibilities And Tasks

• Develop product/system performance specifications against which designs can be produced.
• Evaluate and select optimum design alternatives.
• Determine design feasibility and ensure that product designs are competitive.
• Provide direction to others who determine appropriate materials and processes for specific component applications.
• Lead or conduct experiments to evaluate operating characteristics of products or processes.
• Evaluate engineering prototypes and translate experimental results into design criteria.
• Lead effort to establish production qualification test regime for new system and support execution of the product qualification testing.
• Conduct computer simulations to test or design products.
• Develop task inputs to engineering project plans and maintain liaison with other departments of the organization.
• Respond to customer engineering queries and advises others on engineering information relevant to the organization's product capabilities.
• Provide technical presentation support and consultation to marketing.
• Represent engineering unit to customer, troubleshoot customer application problems.
• Utilize project planning and monitoring methods to ensure timely completion.
• Perform preliminary engineering necessary to confirm plans and programs.
• Assist in assuring the technical soundness of engineering programs.
• Support the manufacturing process in resolving design problems.
• Collaborate with purchasing in obtaining quotations or bids and recommend selection of vendors.
• Prepare engineering specifications for major purchases.
• Prepare reports of field tests, start ups or installations as required and write technical instructions.

Knowledge (Education/License/Certification, Prior Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Optics, Physics, or Engineering) with 10 years of experience or master’s degree and 8 years' experience, preferably in a design-to-manufacture environment.
• Incumbents should possess an extensive knowledge of electro-optics engineering with specific capabilities in areas such as, imaging system design and development, laser systems, or displays.

Skills And Abilities

• Experience with thermal and low light cameras, imaging optics, and micro-displays
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance

Here Are Some Of The Great Benefits We Offer

• Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
• Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
• Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
• Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
• Flexible Vacation & PTO
• Paid Parental Leave
• Generous Employee Referral Program
• Voluntary Benefits Available: Long-Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
• Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Twenty-Six Defense is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

• For Virginia-based positions only* In accordance with Virginia DOL requirements, the listed salary range reflects the anticipated base pay range for this role. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors including skills, experience, education, certifications, business needs, internal equity, and geographic location. Compensation may vary in different locations based on market conditions and cost-of-labor considerations.