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Aerospace Optics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AEROSPACE ENGINEER

San Diego, CA ยท On-site +1

$46.53K - $132.92K/yr

This position is for an Aerospace Engineer within the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, located at ... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B) Combination of education and ...

Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site

$137.40K - $177.90K/yr

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the ... Familiarity with atmosphere turbulence modeling and adaptive optics * Knowledge of optical ...

This temp-to-hire Aerospace Quality Inspector role in Tukwila, WA could be your next career move ... Use measurement tools such as calipers, gauges, microscopes, CMM, and optical comparators * Read ...

Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA ยท On-site +1

$137.40K - $177.90K/yr

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the ... Familiaritywith atmosphere turbulence modeling and adaptive optics * Knowledge ofoptical ...

Use precision measurement tools such as calipers, gauges, microscopes, CMM, and optical comparators ... Pay : $24.00 - $28.00 per hour Aerospace Quality Inspector Requirements : * High School Diploma or ...

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Aerospace Optics information

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$44K

$90.2K

$146K

How much do aerospace optics jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for aerospace optics in the United States is $90,170.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Aerospace Optics Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as an Aerospace Optics Engineer, you need a solid background in optical engineering, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), CAD tools, and experience with cleanroom environments and quality standards like ISO are essential. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills distinguish top performers in this field. These competencies are crucial for developing precise optical systems that meet stringent aerospace requirements for safety, reliability, and performance.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in Aerospace Optics, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Aerospace Optics often encounter challenges such as maintaining precision under extreme environmental conditions, integrating optical systems with rapidly evolving avionics, and managing strict regulatory requirements. Addressing these issues typically involves rigorous testing, continuous collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (such as engineers and quality assurance specialists), and staying updated with the latest advancements in optical materials and sensor technologies. Proactive communication and adaptability are key to successfully navigating these challenges and ensuring the reliability of aerospace optical components.

What are aerospace optics?

Aerospace optics refers to the design, development, and application of optical systems and components used in aerospace environments, such as satellites, aircraft, and spacecraft. These systems include lenses, mirrors, sensors, and imaging devices that enable functions like navigation, communication, surveillance, and scientific observation. The field requires specialized knowledge to ensure optical components can withstand extreme temperatures, vibrations, and radiation present in aerospace settings. Aerospace optics professionals work to optimize performance and reliability for missions ranging from Earth observation to deep space exploration.

What is the difference between Aerospace Optics vs Optical Engineer?

AspectAerospace OpticsOptical Engineer
CredentialsDegree in optics, physics, or engineering; certifications in optical designDegree in optical engineering, physics, or related field; similar certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, aerospace manufacturing, satellite and spacecraft developmentResearch labs, manufacturing, telecommunications, defense, and aerospace sectors
Industry UsagePrimarily in aerospace applications like satellite optics, missile guidance, and space telescopesBroadly in industries including aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and consumer electronics

While both Aerospace Optics and Optical Engineers work with optical systems, Aerospace Optics specialists focus specifically on designing and developing optical components for aerospace applications such as satellites and spacecraft. Optical Engineers have a broader scope, working across various industries that require optical system design, testing, and implementation. The roles often overlap in skills and credentials but differ mainly in application focus and industry specialization.

More about Aerospace Optics jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace Optics jobs? The most popular types of Aerospace Optics jobs are:
What states have the most Aerospace Optics jobs? States with the most job openings for Aerospace Optics jobs include:
Infographic showing various Aerospace Optics job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,170 per year, or $43.4 per hour.
AEROSPACE ENGINEER

AEROSPACE ENGINEER

Naval Air Systems Command

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$46.53K - $132.92K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

Summary
This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • This position is for an Aerospace Engineer within the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, located at Naval Base Coronado, San Diego, California.
  • The purpose of this position is to perform in-service engineering functions on modern Navy and Marine Corps aircraft platforms.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • This position is covered under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA). Certification in the Acquisition Functional Area and category assigned to the position is required within established category timeframes.
  • This position may require travel from normal duty station to CONUS and OCONUS and may include remote or isolated sites. You must be able to travel on military and commercial aircraft for extended periods of time.

Qualifications
FOR GS-5:
Successful completion of the basic education requirement meets qualifications at this grade level.
FOR GS-7/9/11/12:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the next lowest grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Grade level will be determined based on your level of experience in the following areas:
  1. Development of engineering documents, engineering change proposals, technical directives, inspection/maintenance requirements, repairs and redesign of the platform's systems and components;
  2. Development of products and services required to sustain economic operation and ensure airworthiness;
  3. Knowledge of the principles and practices of aerospace engineering associated with both rotary and fixed wing aircraft;
  4. Knowledge of Aerospace engineering and logistics management policies, practices and procedures used in the acquisition, design, overhaul, maintenance, modification and repair of aircraft weapon systems.

Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/aerospace-engineering-series-0861/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
Education
Applicants must meet the following basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
A) Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B) Combination of education and experience college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive.)
In addition to the basic education requirement, you may substitute the following education for specialized experience:
GS-07: 1 year of graduate-level education or bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement.
GS-09: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
GS-11: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.
Transcripts must be submitted with application package. See "Required Documents" section for more information.
Additional information
Vacancies filled from this announcement may be filled at any grade level listed.
If selected below the full performance level, you may be noncompetitively promoted to the next higher grade level after meeting all regulatory requirements, and upon the recommendation of management. Promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.
Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf.
Veteran's preference does not apply when selecting individuals under this specific hiring authority. However, if you claim veteran's preference, you will be required to submit supporting documentation with your application as described in the Required Documents section below.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Naval Air Systems Command logo

About Naval Air Systems Command

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is a major command within the U.S. Department of the Navy, based in Maryland, US. As a vital component of the Navy's overarching structure, NAVAIR operates within the defense industry, providing comprehensive support to naval aviation aircraft, weapons and systems. NAVAIR is historically rooted in the consolidation of the Naval Air Ordnance Test Station (NAOTS) and the Naval Air Test Center (NATC), molding its legacy in the American naval aviation's innovation and advancement. The command's core values align with the larger Navy's, emphasizing Honor, Courage, and Commitment - principles guiding their interactions and decisions.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Patuxent River, MD, US