Staff Optical Engineer - Secret Clearance, Imaging Systems

Northrop Grumman; Chandler (AZ); On-site; USD 168,000 - 252,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Savings plan

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Space Systems seeks a Staff Optical Engineer in Chandler, AZ, to lead optical design and analysis for imaging and sensing systems. You will own system-level performance, develop error budgets, and coordinate across opto-mechanical, systems, electrical, and manufacturing teams.

You will mentor engineers, drive tool development, and participate in senior design reviews to ensure robust, testable solutions across the full mission profile.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering required.
• Active U.S. Government DoD Secret clearance at time of application.
• Experience with imaging/sensing optical systems and system-level performance ownership.
• Proficiency with optical modeling tools and tolerancing.
• CAD experience interfacing with optomechanical designs.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and analysis of optical systems for imaging and sensing applications.
• Develop and maintain optical error budgets across environmental conditions.
• Guide SILOS analyses with structural/thermal teams to ensure LOS performance.
• Define and allocate optical requirements from system to components.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to ensure manufacturability and testability.
• Lead design reviews and mentor engineers in optical design and analysis.
• Support laboratory and environmental tests including alignment and calibration.
• Drive continuous improvement in tools, methods, and processes.

Skills

Optical system design

Optomechanical design

Wavefront/MTF analysis

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering/Physics/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Tools

ZEMAX

Code V

FRED

CREO

NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Northrop Grumman Space Systems seeks a Staff Optical Engineer in Chandler, AZ, to lead optical design and analysis for imaging and sensing systems. You will own system-level performance, develop error budgets, and coordinate across opto-mechanical, systems, electrical, and manufacturing teams.

You will mentor engineers, drive tool development, and participate in senior design reviews to ensure robust, testable solutions across the full mission profile.