Senior Principal Optical Engineer

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.

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.

The EOIR team is seeking a Senior Principal Optical Engineer to serve as a technical lead for optical implementations and system development on advanced electro‑optical and infrared (EO/IR) systems. In this role, you will work across multiple programs to solve complex challenges, coordinate with architects on program-specific implementations, and engage regularly with customers on technical topics. You will also provide technical mentoring to junior staff as part of a 100% on‑site position based in Linthicum, MD.

What You’ll Get To Do:

Northrop Grumman’s EOIR program portfolio focuses on developmental programs and encompasses both imaging and laser systems. For this work, the candidate selected will be responsible for converting system performance and functional requirements into optical architectures, optical layouts, and detailed optical designs for airborne platforms. Responsibilities include analyzing optical design performance, generating and flowing down vendor specifications, and developing and executing alignment, integration, and test (AI&T) plans. The programs themselves range from proof‑of‑concept breadboards through high‑TRL flight systems and requires close collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams at all experience levels, as well as regular interaction with customers.

A strong candidate for this role has experience in airborne and/or space-based EOIR sensors, experience developing and demonstrating imaging and laser-based optical sensors, experience leading teams to successful program execution, and strength in customer engagements.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Define architectures and lead implementations for IRAD, CRAD, and execution programs

• Mentor and develop junior team members

• Design, develop, integrate, test, and deploy optical systems for novel EOIR systems

• Build and maintain physics-based sensor models

• Develop and quantify performance metrics for system performance

• Understand data quality and artifact impacts

• Represent system performance in functional and analytical models

This position is contingent upon the successful transfer of an active U.S Government Secret Clearance and the ability to obtain Special Program Access.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 8 years of experience, Master's degree with 6 years of experience or Ph.D. with 4 years of experience in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or related technical fields; an additional 4 years of experience may be considered in lieu of a degree

• U.S Citizenship is required

• A current/active U.S. Government Secret Clearance

• Ability to obtain Special Program Access

• Experience in Zemax, Code V, and/or FRED for optical design and analysis.

• Experience with optical theory and detailed optical design for both imaging and non-imaging systems.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team-based environment, collaborating with systems, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing disciplines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with VIS, SWIR, MWIR, and/or LWIR remote sensing systems for both passive and active applications

• Experience with material selection, including bulk optical materials, coatings, and environmental durability for VIS–LWIR optical systems

• Experience with laser beam propagation and coupling between components (e.g., sources, fibers, free-space optics, and detectors).

• Experience performing stray light analysis, tolerancing analysis, and related performance trades.

• Hands-on experience with optical prototyping, fabrication, and test, including interpretation of inspection and test data.

• Experience generating optical component requirements and flowing system-level requirements down to subsystems and parts.

• Experience designing, aligning, integrating, and testing active and passive optical systems, from breadboard through flight to fielded hardware.

• Familiarity with free-space electro‑optic device physics and technologies (e.g., lasers, modulators, detectors, and associated subsystems).

• Experience generating and executing alignment, integration, and test (AI&T) plans for optical systems and optical components.

• Understanding of photonics and photonic components, such as integrated photonic devices, fiber-based components, and related subsystems.

Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment which encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.

Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off and Additional Benefits including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!

Northrop Grumman has approximately 90,000 employees in all 50 states and in more than 27 countries. We strive to attract and retain the best employees by providing an inclusive work environment wherein employees are receptive to diverse ideas, perspectives, and talents to help solve our toughest customer challenges: to develop and maintain some of the most technically sophisticated products, programs, and services in the world.

Our Values. The women and men of Northrop Grumman Corporation are guided by Our Values. They describe our company as we want it to be. We want our decisions and actions to demonstrate these Values. We believe that putting Our Values into practice creates long-term benefits for shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities we serve.

Our Responsibility. At Northrop Grumman, we are committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards, embracing diversity and inclusion, protecting the environment, and striving to be an ideal corporate citizen in the community and in the world.

Primary Level Salary Range: $149,300.00 - $223,900.00The 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 U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.