Senior Manager Photonic and EO/IR Systems

RTX; Tewksbury (MA); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 329,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) match

Flexible spending accounts

Flexible work schedules

Employee assistance program

Employee Scholar Program

Parental leave

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

RTX seeks a Senior Manager to lead strategy, capture, technology transition, and development of photonics, quantum sensing, EO/IR, and ISR systems. This senior leader will guide multi‑disciplinary teams, execute multi‑million‑dollar portfolios, and drive transition of photonic components from early‑stage R&D to fielded defense products.

The ideal candidate has over 20 years in applied research, revenue growth, DoD/IC engagements, and a track record shaping high‑impact photonics roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. required in physics/photons/optics or related field.
• 20+ years in photonics, EO/IR, sensing, or defense R&D.
• Experience growing a technical business area to at least $10M revenue.
• Experience transitioning photonics/EO/IR tech from R&D to production.

Responsibilities

• Lead Photonics & EO/IR portfolio strategy and roadmaps.
• Oversee teams in photonics, EO/IR sensing, and quantum sensing.
• Drive capture strategies, proposals, and customer engagement with DoD/IC partners.
• Manage revenue forecasting, manpower planning, and portfolio profitability.
• Guide technology transition from R&D to manufacturing and programs of record.
• Build senior relationships with defense primes and government labs.
• Lead principals and scientists; supervise managers and staff.
• Oversee contract execution, performance, and verification methods.
• Manage IP, subcontractors, and governance responsibilities.
• Provide oversight for prototype demos and technical reviews.
• Support ESOP and corporate policy activities as required.

Skills

Leadership of cross-functional teams

Strategic portfolio management

Business development / capture

DoD/IC customer engagement

Education

Ph.D. in Physics, Photonics, Optical Sciences, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Job description

Location: US-MA-ANDOVER-AN0 ~ 366 Lowell St ~ BLDG AN0

Date Posted: 2026-11-13

Country: United States of America

Location: US-MA-ANDOVER-AN0 ~ 366 Lowell St ~ BLDG AN0

Position Role Type: Hybrid

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type: Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status: Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

Raytheon Missiles & Defense is seeking a Senior Manager to lead strategy, capture, technology transition, and development of cutting‑edge photonics, quantum sensing, EO/IR, and ISR systems. This senior leader will guide multi‑disciplinary teams, execute multi‑million‑dollar portfolios, and drive transition of photonic components from early‑stage R&D to fielded defense products. The ideal candidate is a proven technology executive with over 20 years of experience leading applied research, growing revenue, engaging DoD and intelligence community customers, and shaping high‑impact photonics roadmaps.

What You Will Do

• Lead the Photonics & EO/IR portfolio strategy, technology roadmaps, investment planning, and enterprise‑level execution.
• Oversee multi‑disciplinary teams engaged in photonics, EO/IR sensing, quantum sensing, remote sensing, and precision navigation technologies.
• Drive capture strategies, proposal development, and customer engagement across Army, Navy, Air Force, DARPA, ARPA‑E/H, NASA, DoE, NRO, CIA, and IC partners.
• Manage revenue forecasting, manpower planning, resource allocation, and portfolio profitability.
• Guide technology transition activities from early‑stage R&D into advanced manufacturing and program‑of‑record integration.
• Build and maintain senior‑level relationships with defense primes, government laboratories, and commercial partners.
• Lead Principal Investigators and senior scientists; supervise managers and technical staff across the enterprise.
• Oversee contract execution, program performance, reporting standards, and verification methodologies.
• Manage intellectual property, subcontractors, collaborators, and corporate governance responsibilities.
• Provide executive oversight for prototype demonstrations, customer technical reviews, and milestone execution.
• Support ESOP, advisory committees, and corporate policy teams as required.

Qualifications You Must Have

• U.S. citizenship and an active DoD SECRET security clearance at the time of application. Active TS/SCI clearance preferred.
• Ph.D. in Physics, Photonics, Optical Sciences, Electrical Engineering, or another specifically identified relevant discipline.
• 20+ years of professional experience in photonics, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems, sensing technologies, or defense-related research and development (R&D).
• Experience with direct responsibility for growing a technical business area or enterprise to at least $10 million in annual revenue.
• Experience leading the development and transition of at least one photonic or EO/IR technology from R&D through prototype development into manufacturing or production.
• Experience delivering technical briefings to senior Department of Defense (DoD), Intelligence Community (IC), or other government leadership stakeholders.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams that include senior scientists and engineers, with responsibility for technical execution, personnel management, and portfolio oversight.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience establishing and managing strategic technical collaborations with defense prime contractors, including BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, RTX, and Elbit Systems.
• Experience in one or more of the following technologies: integrated photonics (silicon, silicon nitride, thin-film lithium niobate), metamaterials, spectrometry, quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum sensing, or remote sensing systems.
• Experience designing, developing, or integrating advanced laser systems, including quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), interband cascade lasers (ICLs), semiconductor lasers, and fiber lasers.
• Experience in analytical modeling and simulation of optical and photonic systems, including Gaussian beam propagation, atom-light interactions, and cavity optics, using advanced simulation tools.
• Experience managing intellectual property (IP), employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)-related responsibilities, and corporate transition processes, including S‑corporation restructuring.
• Authorship of peer‑reviewed publications and/or inventor status on patents in photonics, lasers, EO/IR sensing, or related technologies.
• Experience developing technical verification methodologies, conducting prototype demonstrations, and preparing technical presentations and documentation, including oral, graphical, and written materials.

What We Offer

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 172,900 USD - 328,700 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective‑bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.