Sr. Principal Optical Subsystem I&T Engineer

0902 SP - Launch Vehicles; United States; On-site; USD 135,000 - 202,600; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays and PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Sr. Principal Optical Subsystem I&T Engineer to lead the integration and testing of electro-optical subsystems for the Seeker IPT within Launch Vehicles in Chandler, Arizona.

The ideal candidate will manage multidisciplinary teams, develop test plans, and ensure optical test equipment accuracy while collaborating with systems engineers and program management to meet milestones and customer expectations.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience per degree path, or equivalent years of experience.
• Active DoD Secret security clearance required at time of application.
• Experience with EO imaging systems (visible to LWIR) and optical design, alignment, and test.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams in integration and testing of electro-optical subsystems to ensure top-tier performance.
• Develop, review, and execute comprehensive test plans and procedures based on system requirements.
• Oversee hardware/software/firmware integration ensuring interoperability and schedule adherence.
• Execute complex tests, analyze data, and verify performance against specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers and drive continuous improvement through RCCA.
• Prepare detailed test reports and maintain optical test equipment and environments.

Skills

EO imaging systems

Systems integration

Test planning

Data analysis

Leadership

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's in Optical/Physics/Electrical/Mechanical Eng

MS with 6+ years

PhD with 4+ years

Tools

Zemax

Code V

FRED

SolidWorks/NX/Creo

LabVIEW/MATLAB/Python

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. Northrop Grumman Space Systems is looking for a Sr. Principal Optical Subsystem I&T Engineer to support the Electro-Optics (EO) Group within the Launch Vehicles business unit in Chandler, Arizona. This is a key lead role in supporting the Seeker Integrated Product Team (IPT). The role will coordinate multi-disciplinary team efforts to integrate and test development/flight hardware, ensuring performance at the subassembly and seeker system level.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include leading the integration and testing of hardware, characterizing and evaluating performance, developing the seeker test suite, maintaining and calibrating optical test equipment, and capturing representative data to support physics-based model development. The selected candidate should excel in a fast-paced environment with diverse assignments and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.

• Lead multidisciplinary teams in the integration and testing of electro-optical subsystems, ensuring top-tier system performance at the subassembly and seeker system levels.
• Develop, author, and review comprehensive test plans, procedures, and test cases based on detailed system requirements and design specifications.
• Oversee the integration of hardware, software, and firmware, ensuring interoperability and adherence to project timelines and technical objectives.
• Execute and troubleshoot complex test procedures, analyze data, and verify that systems and components meet or exceed performance and design requirements.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers; facilitate team training and technical growth.
• Champion root cause analysis and corrective action processes, driving continuous improvement, reliability, and quality.
• Prepare, review, and present detailed test reports, summarizing observations, test configurations, and key results for program stakeholders.
• Maintain and calibrate optical test equipment and environments, ensuring readiness and accuracy for all test activities.
• Collaborate closely with systems engineers, design teams, and program management to ensure alignment of testing strategy with program milestones and customer expectations.
• Ensure all testing activities comply with organizational, safety, and government standards.
• Drive continuous technical learning, staying up to date on emerging optical engineering best practices, tools, and methodologies.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline from an accredited university and 8 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree and 6 years of experience; or a PhD and 4 years of experience.
• Active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at the time of application.
• Demonstrated experience with EO imaging systems (visible to LWIR), including optical design, alignment, and test.
• Proven experience in maintaining and calibrating optical test equipment to ensure measurement accuracy and reliability in integration and test environments.
• Proficiency with free-space alignment tools (autocollimators, theodolites, laser systems, FTIR) and hands‑on integration of complex hardware.
• Familiarity with the development of custom optical test equipment and developing pathfinder procedures for the use of the equipment.
• Managing and maintaining optical laboratory spaces, including oversight of equipment, inventory, and safety protocols.
• Skilled at implementing and enforcing laboratory best practices to maintain high standards of cleanliness and operational efficiency.
• Practical knowledge of root cause and corrective action (RCCA) methodologies.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as lead and motivate cross-disciplinary teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technical writing skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Extensive experience with missile systems, seeker systems, or high‑reliability EO applications.
• Familiarity with DoD missile defense programs and associated technical standards.
• Expertise in EO system technologies including optical design, tolerancing, error budgets, opto‑mechanics, and focal plane arrays.
• Hands‑on experience with radiometric measurements, use of spectroradiometers, cameras, and detectors.
• Proficiency with optical design/analysis software (Zemax, Code V, FRED).
• CAD experience (SolidWorks, NX, or Creo) for test fixture and experimental layout design.
• Working knowledge of LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, or similar data acquisition and analysis tools.
• In‑depth understanding of cleanroom environments, procedures, and contamination controls required for precision optical integration and testing.
• Demonstrated leadership in technical project delivery and mentoring teams.

Primary Level Salary Range: $135,000.00 - $202,600.00 The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

• Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
• Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
• Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results.
• Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO.

U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

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We are a pioneering company. With careers across all areas: air, cyber, land, sea and space – our 90,000 employees work as one to defend and define the future. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will give you every opportunity to do your best work. Working together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines, we share a drive to push the boundaries of science, technology and engineering to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide.