Lead, Optical Engineering

Lead, Optical Engineering

Job Code: 39683

Location:

Rochester, New York

Schedule:

9/80 (Every Other Friday Off!)

We are looking for a motivated Lead Optical Engineer to support the design, analysis, and development of advanced optical and electro‑optical systems for aerospace and defense applications. The role focuses on optical system architecture, performance modeling, optical analysis, and technical problem‑solving throughout the product development lifecycle, with additional support for integration, alignment, and test activities as needed.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in optical system engineering and experience with complex imaging or sensing systems across design, test, and verification. They will work closely with cross‑functional teams—including optical, mechanical, electrical, systems, software, and manufacturing engineering—to support programs from concept through integration and test. The role is best suited for someone who combines strong technical knowledge with hardware experience, can lead complex technical work, and communicates effectively with internal teams, leadership, suppliers, and customers.

• Lead or support optical engineering activities for advanced imaging, sensing, and electro‑optical systems.
• Support system performance analysis and verification of key optical requirements such as wavefront error, line of sight, distortion, focus, focal length, image quality, and related optical performance metrics.
• Contribute to assessment of optical system behavior including ghosting, scattering, and stray light performance, as needed for system design and verification efforts.
• Generate and review technical documentation including test plans, procedures, error budgets, requirements verification artifacts, design review materials, and final reports.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering teams to ensure optical designs are manufacturable, testable, and fully integrated into the broader system architecture.
• Provide technical leadership in troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and resolution of optical performance issues during development and test.
• Support hardware builds, laboratory demonstrations, integration efforts, and verification campaigns.
• Interface with internal stakeholders, external partners, and suppliers to coordinate technical execution and ensure requirements are clearly understood and met.
• Contribute to risk identification, mitigation planning, and continuous improvement of engineering processes and test methods.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance in optical analysis, test execution, and engineering best practices.

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain a federal security clearance.

• Holds an active Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Experience with optical stray light analysis tools such as FRED.
• Relevant experience with the design, manufacture, integration, test and sell‑off of space‑based EO/IR subsystems.
• Hands‑on experience with optical metrology equipment (interferometers, autocollimators, laser trackers) and phase retrieval techniques.
• Familiarity with specialized metrology software, including Zygo Mx and
• Ability to collaborate across all levels of leadership.
• Work collaboratively with others and complete assignments with a team‑oriented approach.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills – taking complex concepts and sharing with others.
• Ability to architect an end‑to‑end space system with a full understanding of the product lifecycle.
• Experience with project management aspects of technology development programs.
• Experience with estimating and managing costs & creating and managing schedules.
• Candidate with an active Top Secret/SCI clearance is highly desirable.
• Optical Engineering design and analysis experience with EO/IR space‑based payloads, vehicle systems, and/or high performance imaging systems.
• Experience with optical design software such as CodeV, Zemax Optic Studio.
• Experience with programming languages…