Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering

L3Harris Technologies; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 97,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Education assistance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, NY seeks an experienced Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering to lead optical sensor design for EO/IR systems. You will work with cross‑functional teams to develop, analyze, and test high‑performance payloads for airborne and ground surveillance.

The role requires engineering excellence, strong communication, and the ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or related field with 6+ years of experience; graduate degree reduces experience need.
• Strong analysis, modeling and design skills for EO/IR systems.
• Experience working with cross-functional engineering teams and ECO processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead optical sensor system analysis and design for airborne/ground EO/IR payloads.
• Prepare design specifications, analyses and recommendations for formal reviews.
• Interface with mechanical, electrical, software and system engineers on products.
• Develop and maintain technical connections with industry and academic groups.
• Support life cycle from concept to released fabrication drawings and ECOs.

Skills

Strong communication

Organization

Creative solutions

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Technical problem solving

Independent work

Aerospace product experience

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Graduate Degree in related field

10+ years experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Matlab

Mathematica

MathCad

Modtran

Simulink

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do. L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering

Job Code: 42143

Job Location: Rochester, NY

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked – and have every other Friday off

Job Description

L3Harris is seeking optical engineers in Rochester NY to work on a dynamic team to develop EO/IR solutions. They will have Engineering responsibilities supporting the synthesis, definition, analysis, design, development, integration & test of electro-optic systems for airborne and ground surveillance systems. Candidates will work closely with cross-functional members in engineering, manufacturing, & program management to design, develop & build high performance systems.

Essential Functions

• Optical Sensor System Analysis and Design, this includes developing new optical sensor payloads for both customer contracts and internal IR&D programs.
• Utilize tools and procedures for Optical Design, Analysis, Integration and Test.
• Provide Optical Engineering expertise to support manufacturing tasks and issues.
• Document and control optical tools and procedures.
• Develop and maintain technical connections and interactions with other optical Systems groups as well as relevant industry and academic groups.
• Prepare design specifications, analyses and recommendations for presentation and approval through a formal review process.
• Analyze, develop, and recommend design approaches to meet production requirements for new or improved products and/or processes.
• Interface with mechanical, electrical, software and system engineers, providing engineering analysis and design from product inception to released fabrication drawings.
• Provide support for product development and proposals for conceptual layouts and cost estimation.
• Complete documentation and BOMs to support life cycle of new or improved designs.
• Provide support for existing product designs through the production cycle by incorporating engineering change orders (ECO).
• Ability to obtain US government security clearance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Knowledge of mathematical analysis codes (Matlab, Mathematica, MathCad, etc.).
• Understanding of IR detectors (well fill, NUC, SNR, …)
• Understanding of radiometry (e.g. radiant intensity, NEI, …)
• Able to work Modtran to model relevant environments
• Experience with systems testing of EO/IR products
• Ability to work with algorithm developers and understand how optical HW and Algos work together
• Knowledge of optical part fabrication processes
• Knowledge of stabilization, guidance and control
• Optical integration and troubleshooting
• Engineering of aerospace products
• Strong mechanical and geo-spatial comprehension skills
• System modeling using Matlab/Simulink
• Technical Acumen– Demonstrated through successful optical product and systems development experiences involving complex requirements and multi-discipline input (mechanical, electrical, software, etc).
• Communication – Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills working in focused multi-discipline engineering teams. Preparing and presenting project status and results for technical and non-technical audiences for both internal and external reviews.
• Creative Solutions – Direct contribution to technical solutions that integrate multiple disciplines or technologies into non-obvious system architectures that meet often-conflicting requirements.
• Organization - Effectively plan, organize and manage projects with attention to details and project deadlines while maintaining a commitment to excellence and high standards.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in New York state is $97,000 - $180,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location.

• L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination.

All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws.

L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens.

In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer.