Senior Photonics Systems Architect: Laser, RF & EO/IR

RTX; Columbia (MD); Hybrid; USD 173,000 - 329,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Eligible

Job summary

RTX in the United States is seeking a senior technical leader to steer laser, optical, and RF photonic system development across multiple programs. You will architect integrated photonics solutions, lead end‑to‑end engineering efforts, and drive hands‑on prototyping and testing in a security‑critical environment.

The role requires a deep background in photonics and RF photonics, extensive system engineering experience, and the ability to mentor engineering teams while coordinating with

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and an active DoD Top Secret clearance.
• Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or related field.
• 15+ years designing laser, optical, and electro‑optical systems for defense/high‑reliability use.
• Experience integrating RF photonics with laser/optical systems.
• Experience developing and integrating prototype optical systems and embedded control.
• Experience modeling/ simulating optical/photonic systems (EDFAs, fiber lasers, atmospheric propagation).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical authority for laser, photonic, and RF photonic systems across programs.
• Architect integrated optical/RF systems with high‑power fiber lasers and RF‑over‑fiber links.
• Lead end‑to‑end system engineering: link budgets, propagation modeling, power chain analysis.
• Direct embedded control development for optical/RF subsystems.
• Drive hands‑on prototyping, alignment, verification, and testing in the lab.
• Mentor junior engineers and grow photonics capability across the organization.

Skills

Security clearance

Citizenship

System engineering

Photomics

Leadership/mentoring

Education

Electrical Engineering

Physics

Photonic related degree

Job description

RTX in the United States is seeking a senior technical leader to steer laser, optical, and RF photonic system development across multiple programs. You will architect integrated photonics solutions, lead end‑to‑end engineering efforts, and drive hands‑on prototyping and testing in a security‑critical environment.

The role requires a deep background in photonics and RF photonics, extensive system engineering experience, and the ability to mentor engineering teams while coordinating with