Senior Infrared Optical Design Engineer (Tucson, Onsite)

RTX; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 108,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

RTX's Effector Optics Department in Tucson, AZ, seeks a Principal Optical Design Engineer to advance broadband infrared imaging seekers from concept to production, focusing on system design, tolerancing, and rugged environments.

The role requires 8+ years in infrared imaging, expertise with CODE V/Zemax, FRED/ASAP, MATLAB, and a DoD security clearance; you will lead design reviews, collaborate with mech, detector, cryogenic and systems teams, and drive quality and schedule.

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.

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

System integration

Cross-functional collaboration

MATLAB

Education

STEM degree

Advanced degree

Tools

CODE V

Zemax

FRED

ASAP

MATLAB

Job description

RTX's Effector Optics Department in Tucson, AZ, seeks a Principal Optical Design Engineer to advance broadband infrared imaging seekers from concept to production, focusing on system design, tolerancing, and rugged environments.

The role requires 8+ years in infrared imaging, expertise with CODE V/Zemax, FRED/ASAP, MATLAB, and a DoD security clearance; you will lead design reviews, collaborate with mech, detector, cryogenic and systems teams, and drive quality and schedule.