Sr. Principal Optomechanical Engineer - 4

ngc; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 123,000 - 184,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems in Chandler, AZ seeks a Sr. Principal Optomechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and analysis of optical assemblies for development and flight hardware.

The role focuses on robust performance in demanding environments, with collaboration across optical, systems, and manufacturing teams. You will perform STOP/SILOS analyses, develop CAD models and drawings, and participate in design reviews to ensure manufacturability and test readiness for

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret security clearance at time of application.
• 8+ years of relevant opto-mechanical design experience or 6+ with Master's or 4+ with PhD.
• Experience with structural and thermal analysis and their impact on optical performance.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools such as CREO, NX, or SolidWorks.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to mechanical design of optical assemblies, mounts, and structures.
• Perform STOP and SILOS analyses to ensure performance under environmental conditions.
• Develop parametric 3D CAD models and detailed drawings with documentation.
• Collaborate with optical, systems, electrical, and manufacturing teams.
• Support environmental test planning, execution, and results correlation.
• Present findings at design reviews and lead technical discussions.

Skills

Opto-mechanical design

Thermal analysis

Structural analysis

3D CAD tools

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (Mechanical/Optical Engineering or Physics)

Master's degree

PhD (preferred)

Tools

CREO

NX

SolidWorks

ZEMAX

Code V

FRED

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

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 Optomechanical Engineer to support the Electro-Optics Group within the Launch Vehicles business unit in Chandler, Arizona.

You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary seeker engineering team responsible for design, integration, and testing of development and flight hardware. The role focuses on the mechanical design and analysis of optical assemblies and structures, ensuring robust performance in demanding flight and environmental conditions.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the mechanical design of optical assemblies, mounts, and structures for imaging and sensing systems.
• PerformStructural, Thermal, and Optical Performance (STOP) analysis and Structurally Induced Line of Sight (SILOS) analysito ensure system performance over expected environmental and operational conditions.
• Develop parametric 3D CAD models, detailed part/assembly drawings, and associated documentation.
• Collaborate with optical, systems, electrical, and manufacturing engineering teams to refine requirements and ensure design feasibility and producibility.
• Support environmental test planning, execution, and correlation of analysis with test results (vibration, thermal, shock, etc.).
• Participate in design reviews and present technical findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and design updates for prototype and production hardware.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of error budgets related to optomechanical performance and line-of-sight stability

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, 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 clearanceat time of application, current and within scope.
• Extensive experience with opto-mechanical or precision electro-mechanical design, analysis, and integration.
• Familiarity with structural and thermal analysis methods and their impact on optical performance (e.g., STOP/SILOS concepts); ANSYS mechanical experience preferred
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (e.g., CREO, NX, SolidWorks);NX experience preferred.
• Experience with optical imaging systems in one or more bands (e.g., visible through LWIR) and the impacts of optical component mounting and alignment.
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards (such as ISO, MIL-STD)
• Strong technical communication skills, including the ability to generate clear documentation and present design/analysis results.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS/PhD in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with STOP and SILOS modeling workflows and integration with optical design tools.
• Experience with missile systems, seeker systems, or other high-reliability, environmentally challenging applications.
• Previous experience with DoD missile defense programs and associated standards
• Experience with EO systems including tolerance analysis, precision alignment, error budgets, and opto-mechanical design/integration.
• Knowledge of configuring parametric CAD models in support of Design of Experiment (DOE).
• Experience with optical design tools such as ZEMAX, Code V, and FRED.
• Experience supporting hardware test campaigns and correlating analysis to measured performance.

#AZSpace - https://jobs.northropgrumman.com/careers?query=AZSpace

Primary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00The 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. In addition, 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.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.