Specialist, Optical Engineer

L3Harris Technologies; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

health and disability insurance

401(k) match

paid time off

education assistance

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies, Inc. in Carlsbad, CA is seeking a Specialist, Optical Engineering to design, model, and validate optical components and assemblies.

The role covers fiber optics, precision microscopy, and waveguide concepts with lab characterization and integration responsibilities. The position requires hands-on optical work, data analysis in Python/MATLAB, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 4+ years of related experience.
• Graduate Degree with 2+ years of related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, 8+ years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Generate and evaluate optical design concepts for fiber optics, precision microscopy, and waveguides using models or experiments.
• Analyze designs for coupling efficiency, losses, and tolerances to guide development.
• Build, align, and characterize fiber-optic and precision optical assemblies.
• Use microscopy and optical metrology to assess performance and discrepancies.
• Process measurement data with Python or MATLAB and compare to models.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and test teams to integrate designs and document results.
• Deliver work with minimal supervision and ensure technical quality.

Skills

Optical design concepts

Fiber optics

Waveguides

Precision microscopy

Laboratory characterization

Python

MATLAB

Optical metrology

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate Degree

8 years of related experience in lieu of degree

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

BeamPROP

Python

MATLAB

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: Specialist, Optical Engineering

Job Code: 47641

Job Location: Carlsbad, CA

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

Job Description

The Carlsbad optical engineering team turns fiber-optic, precision-microscopy, and waveguide concepts into validated optical components and assemblies. The work spans optical design, modeling, laboratory characterization, and integration, with responsibility for delivering technically sound assigned work reliably and with minimal supervision.

Essential Functions

• Generate and evaluate optical design concepts for fiber optics, precision microscopy, and waveguides, and use models, prototypes, or experiments to complete assigned technology development and validate the results.
• Analyze optical designs, coupling efficiency, loss budgets, and alignment tolerances to compare design options and guide component and assembly development.
• Build, align, and characterize fiber-optic and precision optical assemblies, selecting appropriate laboratory instruments and measurement methods for the assigned task.
• Use microscopy and optical metrology to assess waveguide performance, optical components, and assembly quality, and investigate discrepancies between expected and measured behavior.
• Process optical measurement data with Python, MATLAB, or comparable tools, compare results with model predictions, and quantify and document measurement uncertainty.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and test colleagues to integrate optical designs and troubleshoot performance, and document methods and verification results for technical discussions and design reviews. Deliver assigned work with minimal supervision and responsibility for technical quality and reliable completion.
• Must be a U.S. person and have the ability to obtain and maintain a TS clearance with SCI eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 4 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Relevant laboratory or engineering experience designing, modeling, integrating, or characterizing optical components or systems. Experience with optical instrumentation and alignment, plus optical modeling or data analysis. Tools may include Zemax OpticStudio, BeamPROP, Python, MATLAB, or comparable software to interpret optical performance.
• Experience with fiber-optic coupling, link analysis, polarization control, or interferometric measurements, including interpretation of coupling efficiency, optical losses, or measured signals.
• Experience with precision microscopy, optical metrology, or imaging-system characterization to assess optical components and assembly quality.
• Experience with waveguide modeling or optical packaging, including evaluation of predicted and measured optical performance. Experience with optical tolerance analysis and collaboration on precision optomechanical assemblies to resolve alignment and integration issues.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with Poly

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California 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.

• health and disability insurance
• 401(k) match
• flexible spending accounts
• EAP
• education assistance
• parental leave
• paid time off
• 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.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.