Senior Optomechanical Engineer: IR Window Lead

Northrop Grumman; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 122,800 - 184,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance may be available

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems seeks a Sr. Principal Optomechanical Engineer to serve as the IR Window Responsible Engineer for the seeker subsystem in Chandler, AZ.

You will own requirements, verification, and material choices for window assemblies while coordinating with internal teams and external partners. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field with 8+ years of experience (or MS/PhD with fewer

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline from an accredited university with 8+ years of related experience; or Master’s with 6+ years; or PhD with 4+ years.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government - Secret security clearance at time of application.
• Professional experience leading the design, development, or qualification of IR optical materials and window assemblies for aerospace, defense, or similar high-reliability systems.
• Experience with material and component testing, including mechanical and environmental test methods (MIL‑STD) and related frameworks.
• Experience coordinating technical activities with vendors and suppliers, including interpretation of specifications, drawings, and inspection criteria.
• Demonstrated experience with NDI methods used for optical or structural components.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the IR Window Responsible Engineer (RE) for the seeker subsystem, owning requirements, allocation, and verification related to window materials and assemblies.
• Collaborate with domestic and international stakeholders on material trade studies, testing campaigns, procurement strategies, and manufacturing process improvements.
• Coordinate with government partners for material development and testing activities, ensuring alignment with program objectives and export control regulations.
• Ensure window design decisions are consistent with structural, thermal, optical, and environmental test data.
• Lead trade studies and development efforts for IR window materials and components, including coatings, bonds, seals, and supporting structures.
• Coordinate with internal and external teams to support design, prototyping, qualification, and production.

Skills

IR window design

Materials testing

Cross-functional collaboration

NDI methods

FEA

Optical performance modeling

Export control awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related

MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics (preferred)

Tools

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Optical performance modeling

Statistical data analysis

Job description

Northrop Grumman Space Systems seeks a Sr. Principal Optomechanical Engineer to serve as the IR Window Responsible Engineer for the seeker subsystem in Chandler, AZ.

You will own requirements, verification, and material choices for window assemblies while coordinating with internal teams and external partners. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field with 8+ years of experience (or MS/PhD with fewer