Senior Infrared Optical Design Engineer - Onsite Tucson

RTX; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

RTX in Tucson, AZ, seeks a Principal Optical Design Engineer to lead infrared imaging system design from concept through production. This onsite role requires advanced optics expertise, rigorous tolerancing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams in detector, cryogenic, and systems engineering.

You will drive design validation, work with vendors, and contribute to production transfer while ensuring performance and schedule goals within a DoD-relevant program.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 8 years of prior relevant experience or an advanced degree in a related field and minimum 5 years’ experience.
• Experience designing and analyzing infrared or broadband imaging optical systems.
• Experience with optical tolerancing and performance sensitivity analysis.
• Experience with CODE V and/or Zemax for imaging system design.
• Experience with stray light tools such as FRED and/or ASAP.
• Experience using MATLAB (or similar tools) for analysis and modeling.
• Advanced degree in Optics, Physics, or related discipline preferred.
• Experience developing optical systems for thermally dynamic or high-vibration environments.
• Experience supporting optical fabrication, alignment, and integration of complex assemblies.
• Familiarity with detector-based imaging systems and cryogenic optical assemblies.
• Experience supporting hardware transition from prototype through production.
• Active DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead optical design and analysis of infrared imaging systems and seekers.
• Perform detailed optical tolerancing and sensitivity analyses to ensure producibility and performance margin.
• Conduct stray light analysis and ghost assessments to support high signal-to-noise imaging performance.
• Support optical fabrication, vendor engagement, and prototype build activities.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with opto-mechanical, detector, cryogenic, and systems engineers.
• Support system integration, alignment planning, and optical performance validation.
• Ensure technical performance, cost, and schedule objectives are met across development phases.
• Contribute to design reviews and documentation throughout development and transition to production.

Skills

Infrared imaging design

Optical tolerancing

MATLAB

FRED/ASAP

CODE V/Zemax

Education

STEM degree + 8+ years experience

Advanced degree + 5+ years experience

Tools

CODE V

Zemax

FRED

ASAP

Job description

RTX in Tucson, AZ, seeks a Principal Optical Design Engineer to lead infrared imaging system design from concept through production. This onsite role requires advanced optics expertise, rigorous tolerancing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams in detector, cryogenic, and systems engineering.

You will drive design validation, work with vendors, and contribute to production transfer while ensuring performance and schedule goals within a DoD-relevant program.