Chief Optical Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Program Chief Engineer

Location: Herndon, VA 20171
Salary Range: $200,000–$250,000 annually
U.S. Citizenship Required | Security Clearance Eligibility Required

Lead the Engineering of Next-Generation Aerospace & Defense Systems

We are seeking an accomplished Program Chief Engineer to provide technical leadership across advanced programs involving laser systems, LIDAR sensors, optical communications, and electro-optical technologies.

This is a high-impact leadership role for an experienced engineer who thrives at the intersection of technical strategy, systems engineering, program execution, and customer engagement. You will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through the development, integration, qualification, and delivery of first-of-kind systems supporting critical U.S. military, aerospace, and space missions.

As Program Chief Engineer, you will serve as the senior technical authority for assigned programs and the primary technical interface with customers and mission partners. You will make and guide major program-level technical decisions while ensuring that innovative solutions remain technically sound, mission-focused, and achievable.

Multiple positions are available across a growing portfolio of advanced development and spaceflight programs.

Program Opportunities

Potential program assignments include:

• Space LIDAR
• Lead approximately two-year development programs delivering multiple compact LIDAR instruments for space situational awareness, with potential transition to production.
• Earth-Sensing LIDAR Technologies
• Lead development and delivery of advanced laser and beam-control subsystems supporting NASA spaceflight missions.
• Space LIDAR — Assembly, Integration & Test
• Provide technical leadership for the assembly, integration, and test of a second flight unit based on a proven LIDAR transceiver architecture.
• Fiber Laser Systems & Technologies
• Lead multiple fiber laser and amplifier development programs supporting space and airborne applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for assigned programs from architecture and development through integration, qualification, and delivery.
• Serve as the senior technical authority for major program-level engineering decisions.
• Ensure compliance with technical performance, environmental, functional, and verification requirements.
• Partner with Program Managers and company leadership to develop achievable, measurable, and mission-focused execution strategies.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with customers and mission partners, communicating system architecture, technical progress, risks, and maturation plans.
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists across areas including laser physics, electro-optics, systems engineering, electronics, signal processing, and related disciplines.
• Lead major technical decisions, design trades, architecture development, anomaly resolution, troubleshooting, and system verification activities.
• Guide engineering teams through major program milestones, including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR), Critical Design Reviews (CDR), Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), Delivery and Acceptance Reviews, and other technical reviews.
• Drive technical risk identification, mitigation, and resolution throughout the program lifecycle.
• Promote engineering best practices, tools, and processes that improve development efficiency, technical quality, and program execution.
• Support the development of designs and processes that enable predictable, scalable manufacturing following initial system development and demonstration.
• Provide technical mentorship and foster a culture of engineering excellence, accountability, and innovation.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in engineering, applied science, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of professional engineering experience, including demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Proven experience leading complex engineering or advanced technology-development programs.
• Direct experience engineering, qualifying, and delivering electro-optical systems for U.S. space and/or military applications.
• Technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:
• • Laser systems
  • LIDAR sensors
  • Optical communications
  • Optical systems engineering
  • Aerospace and defense system qualification
• Experience with industry-standard engineering tools in one or more areas, such as:
• • Requirements management, tracking, and verification
  • Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
  • Circuit design and simulation
  • Thermal and structural analysis
  • Optical design and tolerance analysis
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts, engineering strategies, risks, and solutions.
• Ability to communicate how technical approaches are innovative, technically credible, and aligned with current and emerging mission requirements.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Must be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

What You’ll Bring

The ideal candidate is a technically strong engineering leader who can operate effectively at both the system level and program level. You should be comfortable making high-consequence technical decisions, leading highly specialized engineering teams, interacting directly with customers, and translating ambitious mission objectives into executable engineering solutions.

This position is ideal for a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, Principal Engineer, or senior technical leader with a background in aerospace, defense, electro-optics, lasers, LIDAR, or optical communications.

Compensation

The annual base salary range for this position is $200,000–$250,000. Placement within the range will depend on factors including the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s experience, education and training, key skills, and relevant market and business considerations.

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