Principle Optical Engineer & Electro-Optical Lead - Directed Energy

Huntington Ingalls Industries; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 112,057 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Huntington Ingalls Industries is seeking a Lead Electro-Optical Engineer located in Knoxville, TN. In this role, you will direct the design and integration of advanced electro-optical systems for high-energy laser platforms, ensuring that optical designs translate into functional hardware.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience with optical systems design, high-power laser systems, and proficiency in optical design software like Zemax. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and requires the ability to obtain security clearance.

Qualifications

• 9 years experience with Bachelor's in related field or equivalent.
• 15 years experience with Bachelor's in Optical Engineering preferred.
• Experience with fabrication and optical prototyping.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of advanced electro-optical systems.
• Translate requirements into detailed optical designs using software.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers.

Skills

Optical design software proficiency

High-power laser systems

Stray light analysis

Technical leadership

Requirements management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering

Master's degree in related field

PhD or Juris Doctorate

Tools

Zemax

Code V

MATLAB

Job description

Principle Optical Engineer & Electro-Optical Lead – Directed Energy

Requisition Number: 29019

Required Travel: 0 – 10%

Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt

Anticipated Salary Range: $112,057 – $220,000

Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain

Level of Experience: Senior

Job Description

HII, Mission Technologies offers a Lead Electro-Optical Engineer role located in Knoxville, TN. The Lead Electro-Optical Engineer will lead and direct the design, development, and integration of advanced electro‑optical and infrared (EO‑IR) systems that support high‑energy laser and high‑power microwave directed energy platforms. This role ensures that optical designs—including beam control systems, optical assemblies, stray light mitigation, precision alignment, and laser propagation systems—translate into safe, functional, and production‑ready hardware that meets stringent performance, reliability, and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead optical systems design for beam control, laser delivery, optical assemblies, precision optical mounts, and EO‑IR sensor integration critical to directed energy platforms.
• Direct design efforts for high‑power laser systems, beam steering mechanisms, stray light control, and thermal management of optical components.
• Contribute to and influence overall product design for directed energy weapon systems.
• Translate requirements into detailed optical designs using Zemax, Code V, or similar optical design software.
• Perform and oversee optical analysis including ray tracing, stray light modeling, wavefront error analysis, thermal effects, and laser propagation.
• Support and oversee fabrication, assembly, alignment, and testing of optical systems and prototypes.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, providing guidance on technical and professional growth.
• Lead collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, systems engineering) to develop innovative solutions and influence product architecture.
• Negotiate design characteristics among engineers, suppliers, customers, and program management.
• Interface with manufacturing to optimize optical designs for fabrication and assembly.
• Support fabrication, testing, and validation efforts to ensure systems meet performance requirements.
• Identify, articulate, and manage risks across optical, thermal, and alignment systems.
• Solve complex engineering problems in fast‑paced environments with evolving requirements.
• Lead design reviews and DFMEA, serving as technical escalation point.
• Investigate anomalies and perform Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) for optical system performance issues.
• Create and approve engineering drawings with GD&T, design documentation, and technical specifications for optical assemblies.
• Lead configuration management and version control for optical designs.
• Review and approve documentation from junior team members.
• Develop test procedures to properly test and verify optical system requirements.
• Communicate effectively with government customers, leadership, and technical experts.
• Manage relationships with vendors, partners, and stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in design quality, efficiency, and manufacturability.
• Prepare requirements packages for Technical Review Board meetings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Level 4 – 9 years relevant experience with Bachelor’s degree in a related field; 7 years relevant experience with Master’s degree; 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate; or High School Diploma and 13 years relevant experience.
• Level 5 – 15 years relevant experience with Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field; 13 years relevant experience with Master’s degree; OR 10 years relevant experience with PhD.
• High‑level proficiency in optical design software (Zemax, Code V, or equivalent).
• Extensive experience with high‑power laser systems design, integration, and alignment.
• Experience with stray light analysis and mitigation techniques.
• Ability to translate requirements into tasks and completed optical designs.
• Ability to perform fundamental optical analysis working from first principles.
• Demonstrated technical leadership driving results in fast‑paced, ambiguous environments.
• Experience with requirements management and traceability (DOORS or equivalent).
• Experience with fabrication, manufacturing methods, and hands‑on optical prototyping.
• Proven leadership mentoring and developing engineers across all levels.
• Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET level security clearance.

Preferred Requirements

• Advanced optical analysis experience including wavefront error budget analysis, thermal distortion modeling, and laser beam propagation.
• Experience with EO‑IR sensors, thermal imaging systems, and night vision systems.
• Proficiency with MATLAB for optical modeling and data analysis.
• Experience with Fourier transform spectroscopy and optical characterization techniques.
• Deep thermal management expertise for high‑power optical applications.
• Experience with LIDAR or laser ranging systems.
• Master’s degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification.
• Clearance: Active SECRET level security clearance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.