Senior Opto-Mech Engineer

Leonardo DRS; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Leonardo DRS seeks a Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer in San Diego to architect, design, and integrate precision opto-mechanical systems for aerospace, defense, and scientific applications. You will lead cross-disciplinary teams through prototypes, qualification, and production phases, delivering robust solutions.

The role emphasizes hands-on alignment, CAD modeling, FEA, and collaboration with optical engineers to meet stringent system requirements. Active US security clearance is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) with 5+ years of experience in opto-mechanical design
• Familiarity with GD&T (ASME Y14.5M) and manufacturing methods
• Strong leadership, project management, and mentoring capabilities

Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-performance opto-mechanical assemblies for demanding environments
• Lead technical execution for projects, including requirements, trade studies, alignment strategy, and metrology plans
• Generate detailed technical documentation (CAD models, drawings, BOMs, analyses) and support reviews
• Collaborate on STOP analysis and optical test setups to ensure system-level requirements are met
• Mentor junior engineers and drive continuous improvement initiatives

Skills

Precision mechanics

Optical alignment

CAD design

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

5+ years of experience

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA SW Simulation/Ansys

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Senior Opto-Mech Engineer

Location: San Diego, CA, US, 92127

Job ID: 115540

DRS Daylight Solutions business provides industry-changing mid-infrared laser light technology for government and commercial markets, including: defense and security; life sciences; and industrial process control. As a mid-IR technology pioneer, Daylight Solutions has delivered more mid-IR systems to more applications world-wide than any other company.

Business Unit: Daylight Solutions

Location: San Diego

Career Functional Area: Engineering

Telework Type: Onsite

Relocation Available: Yes

Type: Full Time Permanent

Schedule: 9/80

Shift: 1st Shift

Job Summary

The Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer at DRS Daylight Solutions will be responsible for the architecture, design, and system-level integration & testing of precision opto-mechanical systems for challenging environments. This position will leverage expertise in precision mechanics, optics, and laboratory metrology, to contribute to the full lifecycle of engineering projects—from prototype design to qualification, and production. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, this position offers the opportunity to innovate and lead technical initiatives critical to product advancement in the aerospace, defense, and scientific sectors.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-performance opto-mechanical assemblies through knowledge of kinematic, thermal, structural, and manufacturability impacts on optical performance in demanding environments.
• Lead technical execution for projects, including system level requirements, trade studies, alignment strategy, and metrology plans for KPPs.
• Generate detailed technical documentation (CAD models, drawings, BOMs, analyses, FEA simulations, and reports) and support customer design reviews and deliverables.
• Collaborate with optical engineers to support Structural-Thermal-Optical (STOP) analysis and optical test setups to ensure system-level optical requirements are met.
• Facilitate prototype design, build, and integration, ensuring alignment and functionality validation.
• Serve as the technical lead on projects, communicating effectively with cross-disciplinary teams of mechanical, optical, electrical, and firmware engineers.
• Investigate product and process problems and implement corrective actions that improve yield and predictability.
• Provide mentorship to junior engineers and foster the development of engineering continuous improvement initiatives.

The Ideal Candidate will have:

• Strong practical mechanical design experience in precision mechanics for opto-mechanical systems.
• Hands-on expertise in optical alignment techniques in laboratory environments.
• Knowledge of optical drawings, sensitivities, and fabrication methods.
• Deep knowledge of GD&T standards (ASME Y14.5M) and mechanical fabrication methods.
• Proficiency in CAD, SolidWorks preferred. Experience with FEA software (SW Simulation or Ansys) a plus.
• Knowledge of optical design and laser physics. Functional knowledge of optical ray tracing software (e.g., Zemax, Code V) is a plus.
• Laser packaging design experience including soldering, wire bonding, lid welding, adhesive bonding, and hermeticity testing.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects effectively and independently, demonstrating strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with experience in leading and mentoring teams.
• Expertise in opto-mechanical design, packaging, and precision mechanics in aerospace, defense, or scientific applications.
• Demonstrated success leading technical teams in a new product development environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) with 5+ years of experience; Master’s or PhD in relevant field may be substituted for years of industry experience.
• Fluency in technologies and application domain
• Ability to lead a technical group independently

U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

The salary range for this position is $119,940/year- $186,206/year. This range reflects the good faith estimate of pay the employer is willing to offer at the time of posting. Several factors can influence the pay scale, including but not limited to: Federal contract labor categories and contract wage rates, collective bargaining agreements, geographic location, business considerations, scope, and responsibilities of the position, local or other applicable market conditions, and internal equity. Other factors include the candidate’s qualifications such as prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education/training, and certifications. In addition to base pay, employees may be eligible for: annual performance-based bonuses, equity awards, and overtime pay (for non-exempt employees as applicable). Our benefits package includes comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer matching 401(k) retirement plan, paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave (including ant state-mandated paid sick leave), parental leave benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional development support, and life and disability insurance coverage.

Taking care of our people is a top priority at Leonardo DRS. We are proud to offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan. We champion wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We develop our talent by offering programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement. And we understand there is more to life than work, and the importance of offering flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours. Some employees are eligible for limited benefits only

Leonardo DRS, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Our Vision. To be the leading mid-tier defense technology company in the U.S.

Our Values. The Leonardo DRS culture is defined by our Core Values and Principles:

• Integrity
• Agility
• Excellence
• Customer Focus
• Community & Respect
• Innovation

We strive to uphold them in all aspects of our business practices to inspire our employees and provide outstanding support for our customers.