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Optical Engineer - Level 3 or Level 4

Northrop Grumman

Posted today

Job Requirements

East Hartford, CT
Top Secret Polygraph None
Career Level not specified
$125,300 - $187,900

Job Description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescription

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's Space Systems Sector is seeking an Optical Engineer Level 3 or Level 4 to join our team in East Hartford, CT.

*Please be aware that this position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) and obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding. Furthermore, this position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.

Adaptive Optics Associates - Xinetics (AOA Xinetics), a wholly-owned Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Mission Enabling Products operating unit, designs and manufactures mission critical optical and photonic solutions. We serve markets worldwide including defense (ISR, directed energy, laser communications), industrial (semiconductor) and scientific (astronomy). Since its inception, AOX has been 'working light' for the betterment of our customers, the protection of our nation and the advancement of humankind.

Overview

Reporting directly to the Special Programs Optical and R&D Group Manager, the Optical Engineer will work with program managers and engineers to develop system architectures that meet specific program requirements and fulfill the key system functions. Systems may include optical, mechanical, electrical, and software components. Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment is essential.

This position provides a broad, exciting opportunity in a high-growth, strategically important business for NGSP. We are looking for a successful team member with exceptional people skills, one who is valued by employees and customers alike. Our ideal candidate can influence and motivate a team to perform at higher levels, and has excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills. The successful team member must be highly influential in conversation and have a record of collaborative approach with peers/peer organizations.

The successful candidate will be an individual contributor as an Optical Engineer on programs that have significant optical and photonics aspects. You will be responsible for the overall development of optical systems and work within interdisciplinary teams to develop novel and innovative solutions to advanced technical problems.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Develop designs for optical and electro-optical systems addressing the customer problem
  • Develop mathematical models for simulation and analysis of these systems
  • Develop algorithms that make best use of the optical systems, including model-based and AI/ML approaches
  • Conduct trade studies to determine the optimal design and algorithm from the analyzed possibilities
  • Help reduce the ideas to practice in the lab
  • Engage with customers, and clearly communicate the chosen approach and the reasons for the decision
  • Work closely with and collaborate with the Special Programs Director, Program Managers and other technical personnel on proposals and responses to customer technical inquiries
  • Travel regularly to customer locations to support design and program reviews


Basic Qualifications for Level 3:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics with 5 years' experience in optics, photonics, and/or algorithm development; OR Masters of Science degree in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics with 3 years' experience in optics, photonics, and/or algorithm development; OR PhD in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics with 1 year of experience in optics, photonics, and/or algorithm development
  • Familiarity with systems containing optical, mechanical, electrical, and software components
  • Experience modeling optical or other physical systems
  • Experience developing algorithms related to image processing, computational imaging, or optical alignment
  • Experience with a general-purpose data processing environment (eg MATLAB or numerical Python)
  • Ability to break high-level requirements into constraints on a particular design
  • Strong critical thinking and logical reasoning skills and the ability to apply them to solve issues and predict potential technical risks
  • Ability to travel up to 10 - 20% of the time
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance


Basic Qualifications for Level 4:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics with 5 years' experience in optics, photonics, and/or algorithm development; OR Masters of Science degree in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics with 3 years' experience in optics, photonics, and/or algorithm development; OR PhD in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics with 1 year of experience in optics, photonics, and/or algorithm development
  • Familiarity with systems containing optical, mechanical, electrical, and software components
  • Experience modeling optical or other physical systems
  • Experience developing algorithms related to image processing, computational imaging, or optical alignment
  • Experience with a general-purpose data processing environment (eg MATLAB or numerical Python)
  • Ability to break high-level requirements into constraints on a particular design
  • Strong critical thinking and logical reasoning skills and the ability to apply them to solve issues and predict potential technical risks
  • Ability to travel up to 10 - 20% of the time
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master of Science or PhD degree in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics
  • 10+ years' experience in optics, photonics, or algorithm development
  • Proven performance on low-TRL projects
  • Familiarity with optical products in the space environment
  • Past experience with a computational imaging algorithm in a deployed product
  • Past experience with both model-based and AI/ML approaches to algorithm development, and understanding of the tradeoffs with each approach
  • Active TS/SCI


*Please be aware that this position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) and obtaining and maintaining associated business and/or customer funding. Furthermore, this position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance at the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.

Curious about all the exciting developments with the Northrop Grumman Space Sector? Click the link below:

https://www.northropgrumman.com/space .

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site: Northrop Grumman Total Rewards .

As a full-time employee of Northrop Grumman, you are eligible for:

-Medical, Dental & Vision coverage

-401k

-Educational Assistance

-Life Insurance

-Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions

-Paid Time Off

-Health & Wellness Resources

-Employee Discounts

-Flexible Schedules: for example, the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work.

Primary Level Salary Range: $125,300.00 - $187,900.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $156,400.00 - $234,600.00

The 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.
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Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees are Defining Possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services. Northrop Grumman careers and internships are as varied as your interests, with a lifetime of potential that will allow you to work together with people from many backgrounds, personal passions and disciplines. © 2025 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.
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