Senior Optical Systems Engineer - Millennium Space Systems
Listed on 2026-02-21
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Engineering
Systems Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace / Aviation / Avionics
Job Description
At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.
Millennium Space Systems, a part of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), is a fast, agile small satellite company focused on national security space. Our missions have direct impact to global security, like missile warning and Earth observation.
Our team is curious, bold and innovative. We take risks, innovate and explore new techniques and technologies. We influence change because we challenge the status quo. And when we watch our satellites launch, we know each one of us made it happen.
The Optical Engineering Team provides all optical systems engineering services to Millennium's direct programs, studies, proposals, and Internal Research & Development (IRAD) efforts. They are systems engineers managing interfaces between the space vehicle and Electro-Optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) payloads and laser system/laser communication payloads. The team models mission phenomenology and detection performance of EO/IR and active sensors considering the spectral, spatial, and radiometric attributes of the sensor.
They design and develop optical hardware, including star trackers and sensor suites that support autonomous navigation and docking maneuvers. They determine what on-orbit and ground image processing algorithms should be implemented to support mission requirements. They work closely with mission and systems engineering teams, as well as manufacturing and testing teams to lead payload systems efforts end-to-end.
An Optical Systems Engineer possesses a strong background in spaceborne electro-optical sensor technology (visible to infrared; active and passive). You will oversee optical systems on our programs, ensuring system specifications meet mission needs. You will own mission performance requirements for remote sensing missions and or space-to-space missions, and model mission phenomenology and detection performance. You will be the primary interface between the optical payload, space vehicle team, and mission data processing team, managing interfaces between these elements.
Successful Optical Systems Engineers have experience with modeling, simulation, analysis, and calibration of optical hardware.
This position's internal job code is Electrophysics Engr/Scientist. Our team is currently hiring for a Level 4-5.
Responsibilities- Develop and validate mission and unit level requirements for Electro-optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) sensors, Laser systems (Laser rangefinders and Optical Communications Terminals), and space vehicle interfaces
- Design and implement modeling and simulation of optical systems
- Develop and execute unit and system level tests on the ground and on-orbit to verify performance
- Manage supplier and partner performance
- Manage complex projects by coordinating work statements, setting and tracking budget/schedule, and measuring technical performance
- Support large-scale new business proposals
This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options.
Security Clearance and Export Control Requirements
This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required. “US Person” includes US Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
Minimum Qualifications- Bachelor's Degree in engineering or the physical sciences / computer science
- 7+ years industry experience in optical engineering
- Experience with space-to-space and/or space-to-ground laser communication
- Experience with performance/phenomenology/modeling of space-based EO sensors
- Ability to train and mentor other members of the team
- Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance
- 10+ industry experience working with satellite optical instrumentation, design, and/or operation.
- On-orbit experience in the operation and performance validation of OCTs
- Ability to develop and maintain an OCT link budget
- Experience with design,…
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