{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"0bf0926fa3150145f5f1b03e","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/0bf0926fa3150145f5f1b03e","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/0bf0926fa3150145f5f1b03e","title":"Lead Optical Systems Engineer","description":"General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.\n\nThe Optical Sensors Systems group within General Atomics - Electromagnetic Systems Group is developing the next-generation, state-of-the-art Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensor Systems to help defend our national interests and support critical commercial enterprises worldwide.\n\nDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:\n\nThe Optical Sensor Systems group is searching for a Senior Optical Systems Engineer/Architect with advanced Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensor Systems experience.\nThe candidate will develop and analyze extremely high performance EO/IR Solutions and Architectures for Space and Airborne Applications.\nThe candidate will engage in all aspects of the EO/IR Systems architecture development, requirements development and analysis, conceptual trade studies, design & analysis, subcontractor technical review and management, integration & test, and verification and validation of EO/IR sensor systems for the aerospace industry.\nExperience working with all engineering disciplines to develop verification and validation requirements is highly desired.\nThe ideal candidate will have a strong, multi-disciplined technical background and will work directly with internal technical SME’s developing requirements and associated documentation, working with customers, and associated sub-contractors.\nThe candidate will interface with customers throughout the product life cycle as a lead technical representative and will be responsible for preparing and presenting material for formal design reviews and customer meetings.\n\nWe recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.\n\nJob Qualifications\n\nTypically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.\nExperience in System level architecture development, requirements definition and flowdown, analysis, and risk mitigation for space and airborne payloads or electro-optical sub-systems.\nExperience developing systems and general engineering processes and procedures.\nExperience supporting new business pursuits and proposals efforts.\nExcellent oral, written and presentation skills for interfacing with senior management, customers, and sub-contractors.\nExperience with Optical Systems designs and architectures including scanning and staring systems; focal plane array technologies and electronics; mission level performance requirements including NIIRS, MTF, SNR, Minimum Detectable Target, and/or geolocation; spectral sensing techniques; and signal and data processing, and algorithm development.\nExperience defining optical, mechanical/structural, thermal, electrical, and environmental inputs into a system and evaluating overall system performance.\nCompetence with software analysis tools such as MATLAB, Mathcad, or Python\nExperience writing technical reports and making technical presentations.\nThis position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance\nDesired Requirements:\nMaster’s or PhD degree from an accredited program in Optical Engineering, Remote Sensing, Physics, or related discipline.\nExperience as a lead engineer, project engineer, or IPT lead.\n\nJob Category\n\nEngineering\n\nExperience Level\n\nSenior (8+ years)\n\nWorkstyle\n\nOnsite\n\nFull-Time/Part-Time\n\nFull-Time Salary\n\nPay Range Low\n\n109,500\n\nPay Range High\n\n187,875\n\nTravel Percentage Required\n\n0% - 25%\n\nRelocation Assistance Provided?\n\nYes\n\nUS Citizenship Required?\n\nYes\n\nClearance Required?\n\nDesired\n\nClearance Level\n\nSecret\n\nSearch Jobs at | General Atomics and Affiliated Companies","company":"Generalatomic","rawCompany":"generalatomic","city":"Acton","state":"MT","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-10-30T10:03:21.824Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2199.07","title":"Photonics Engineers","slug":"photonics-engineers"},{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"},{"code":"17-2199.00","title":"Engineers, All Other","slug":"engineers-all-other"}],"industries":[{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"541330","title":"Engineering Services","slug":"engineering-services"},{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Lead Optical Systems Engineer","description":"General Atomics (GA), and its affiliated companies, is one of the world’s leading resources for high-technology systems development ranging from the nuclear fuel cycle to remotely piloted aircraft, airborne sensors, and advanced electric, electronic, wireless and laser technologies.\n\nThe Optical Sensors Systems group within General Atomics - Electromagnetic Systems Group is developing the next-generation, state-of-the-art Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensor Systems to help defend our national interests and support critical commercial enterprises worldwide.\n\nDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:\n\nThe Optical Sensor Systems group is searching for a Senior Optical Systems Engineer/Architect with advanced Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensor Systems experience.\nThe candidate will develop and analyze extremely high performance EO/IR Solutions and Architectures for Space and Airborne Applications.\nThe candidate will engage in all aspects of the EO/IR Systems architecture development, requirements development and analysis, conceptual trade studies, design & analysis, subcontractor technical review and management, integration & test, and verification and validation of EO/IR sensor systems for the aerospace industry.\nExperience working with all engineering disciplines to develop verification and validation requirements is highly desired.\nThe ideal candidate will have a strong, multi-disciplined technical background and will work directly with internal technical SME’s developing requirements and associated documentation, working with customers, and associated sub-contractors.\nThe candidate will interface with customers throughout the product life cycle as a lead technical representative and will be responsible for preparing and presenting material for formal design reviews and customer meetings.\n\nWe recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.\n\nJob Qualifications\n\nTypically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; nine or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, seven or more years of experience with a masters degree, or four or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.\nExperience in System level architecture development, requirements definition and flowdown, analysis, and risk mitigation for space and airborne payloads or electro-optical sub-systems.\nExperience developing systems and general engineering processes and procedures.\nExperience supporting new business pursuits and proposals efforts.\nExcellent oral, written and presentation skills for interfacing with senior management, customers, and sub-contractors.\nExperience with Optical Systems designs and architectures including scanning and staring systems; focal plane array technologies and electronics; mission level performance requirements including NIIRS, MTF, SNR, Minimum Detectable Target, and/or geolocation; spectral sensing techniques; and signal and data processing, and algorithm development.\nExperience defining optical, mechanical/structural, thermal, electrical, and environmental inputs into a system and evaluating overall system performance.\nCompetence with software analysis tools such as MATLAB, Mathcad, or Python\nExperience writing technical reports and making technical presentations.\nThis position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance\nDesired Requirements:\nMaster’s or PhD degree from an accredited program in Optical Engineering, Remote Sensing, Physics, or related discipline.\nExperience as a lead engineer, project engineer, or IPT lead.\n\nJob Category\n\nEngineering\n\nExperience Level\n\nSenior (8+ years)\n\nWorkstyle\n\nOnsite\n\nFull-Time/Part-Time\n\nFull-Time Salary\n\nPay Range Low\n\n109,500\n\nPay Range High\n\n187,875\n\nTravel Percentage Required\n\n0% - 25%\n\nRelocation Assistance Provided?\n\nYes\n\nUS Citizenship Required?\n\nYes\n\nClearance Required?\n\nDesired\n\nClearance Level\n\nSecret\n\nSearch Jobs at | General Atomics and Affiliated Companies","datePosted":"2026-10-30T10:03:21.824Z","dateModified":"2026-10-30T10:03:21.824Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Generalatomic","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Acton","addressRegion":"MT","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"0bf0926fa3150145f5f1b03e"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/0bf0926fa3150145f5f1b03e"}}