Optical Engineer

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact

At Leidos we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers success. We empower our teams contribute to our communities and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers our people and our community. Our Mission Vision and Values guide the way we do business.

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Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems solutions and services covering land sea air space and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT large-scale intelligence systems command and control geospatial and data analytics cybersecurity logistics training and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the worlds toughest security challenges for customers with cant fail missions.

The Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking an Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in the development of advanced optical payload systems for next-generation space missions. The Space Business Area is transforming space payload solutions for the future through both customer-funded programs and internal research and development (IR&D) efforts focused on enabling new capabilities in space-based sensing.

In this role you will support the design modeling and experimental validation of optical systems operating in the visible and infrared spectrum. You will contribute to optical system modeling and performance analysis assist with design trades and system-level evaluations and support the development of compact high-performance payloads.

You will also play a hands-on role in laboratory activities including optical alignment integration testing and characterization of components and prototype systems. Working closely with senior engineers and cross-functional teams you will help evaluate and mature emerging optical technologiessuch as diffractive and meta-opticsanalyze experimental data to inform design decisions and document results to support internal R&D and program efforts.

This position emphasizes a balance of analytical and experimental work. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across simulation and laboratory environments and is motivated to grow technical expertise in both domains.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering Physics Optics or a related field with 4 years of experience or a Masters degree with 2 years of prior relevant experience

• US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance

• Experience with optical system modeling simulation or analysis

• Familiarity with optical performance metrics such as PSF MTF encircled energy and radiometric considerations

• Experience working in a laboratory environment including optical alignment testing or characterization

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

• Effective communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain a higher-level clearance (TS/SCI)

• Experience with infrared optical systems or sensors

• Hands-on experience with experimental optics optical testbed development and optical metrology

• Experience with optical design tools such as Zemax or CODE V

• Experience with modeling tools such as COMSOL Lumerical or equivalent

• Experience with electronic design automation tools and file formats (e.g. GDSII)

• Exposure to advanced optical technologies such as diffractive optics meta-optics or integrated photonics

If youre looking for comfort keep scrolling. At Leidos we outthink outbuild and outpace the status quo because the mission demands it. Were not hiring followers. Were recruiting the ones who disrupt provoke and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. Were already at step 30 and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job education experience knowledge skills and abilities as well as internal equity alignment with market data applicable bargaining agreement (if any) or other law.