Senior Specialist, Optical Engineering

L3

Harris 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. L3

Harris 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.

L3

Harris 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 - Up to 20k Sign‑On Bonus

Job Code: 36971

Job Location: Wilmington, MA

Job Schedule: (9/80 Every Other Friday Off!) – 2nd Shift with 10% Differential

We are seeking a hands‑on Optical Engineer to join our team, providing critical optical assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) support to our aerospace programs. This role (second shift) involves performing component and system AI&T using interferometry and precision adjustment 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 regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Most of these systems function in a space environment. Mission requirements and packaging have driven our solutions to utilize custom multiple‑mirror reflective designs, some including free‑form optics and refractive lens cell assemblies.

• 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) 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, and provide status of work tasks.

• Experience and knowledge of precision alignment techniques at the optical component and optical system level using interferometry (Phase Cam, Zygo, LUPI), theodolites or alignment telescopes, and broadband illumination sources.
• Strong knowledge and experience in concepts of alignment sensitivity, wavefront error, Zernike polynomials, MTF, Ensquared energy, and knife‑edge testing.
• Participation and leadership 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.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an active Secret Security clearance.

• 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.
• Possesses an active Security clearance.

In compliance with pay…