Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering
Job Code: 45362
Job Location: Wilmington, Massachusetts
Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every Other Friday Off!)

Job Description

We are seeking an Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) Optical Engineer to support our aerospace programs. This hands-on role involves performing optical component and system AI&T using interferometry to guide precision adjustments to meet allocated alignment tolerances and error budget allocations. You will be part of a team consisting of manufacturing, operations, and quality personnel and will work with various technicians in support of the build process. Our programs include single and multiple aperture imaging systems, with both fixed and scanning platforms, operating across the UV to LWIR wavelength regions. Most of these systems function in a space environment, requiring cleanroom activities. Mission requirements and packaging have driven our solutions to utilize custom multiple-mirror reflective off‑axis designs (some including free‑form optics), in addition to traditional symmetrical geometries with refractive lens cell assemblies.

Essential Functions

• Create assembly and test workflows and author optical test plans, layouts, and testing procedures, working as part of a multidisciplinary AI&T team.
• Configure and align optical test support equipment (collimators, off‑axis parabolas, flats, interferometers, blackbody sources) as part of the optical test setup.
• Lead and conduct thorough testing and alignment of complex optical systems within a lab environment.
• Interpret interferometry measurement data (Zernike terms) to aid in adjustment of components and systems.
• Collaborate with optical design and modeling efforts as needed, with a focus on hands‑on application and testing.
• Engage in troubleshooting activities and verification of system requirements to ensure compliance and functionality.
• Perform detailed inspection of optical components to maintain system integrity.
• Apply excellent written and verbal communication skills to document processes, convey technical information to program team members, and provide status of work tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 6 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
• Ability to obtain a federal Secret Security clearance.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Experience with Zemax or CodeV software tools for optical design and analysis
• Experience with MATLAB or Python for data analysis and automation of testing procedures.
• Background in optical fabrication or testing metrology.
• Knowledgeable in advanced interferometry concepts, optical testing layouts, and optical measurement data analysis products.
• Active Security clearance.
• Experience and knowledge of precision alignment techniques at the optical component and optical system level using interferometry (PhaseCam, Zygo, LUPI), theodolites or alignment telescopes, and broadband illumination sources.
• Strong knowledge and experience in concepts of alignment sensitivities, Zernike polynomials, wavefront error, MTF, Ensquared energy, and knife‑edge testing.
• Leadership experience in optical AI&T projects.
• Knowledge of telescope systems and lens cell assemblies.
• Demonstrated organizational skills to effectively manage competing tasks with demanding schedules.
• Team player that is willing to mentor and guide new engineers in the art of optical alignments and techniques, ensuring knowledge transfer and adherence to best practices for lab‑based system builds and experimental setups.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in Massachusetts Is $111,500 - $207,500.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company‑paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug‑free workplace and performs pre‑employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

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