Director Biomedical Optics Engineer Jobs in Washington

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges-and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day-working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us. Department Summary: MITRE Lab's Quantum Information Sciences, Optics, and Imaging Department serves as a vanguard for MITRE to meet the future needs of our customers, requiring technical excellence while encouraging creativity and fostering interests in current and emerging technologies across its diverse employees. Your future colleagues are a collegial team from diverse technical backgrounds who work across MITRE's sponsors and partners. Roles & Responsibilities: The MITRE Corporation is seeking a smart, energetic engineer or scientist with experience in optical physics and lasers to work in a dynamic environment, which encourages creativity and requires keeping pace with current and emerging technologies and practices. The work will include the design, evaluation, and integration of gimbaled optical systems for applications in remote sensing, optical communication, and directed energy. There may be additional opportunities to develop photonics systems or develop modeling and simulation tools. The candidate will work in the public interest to provide technical expertise in solving our sponsors' critical optics problems. * The candidate will contribute to analysis of various optical systems, including integration challenges and use these analyses to provide recommendations to our sponsors.
* The candidate will use analytic techniques to assess the impact of lasers and optics on operational capabilities and missions.
* The candidate will develop and evaluate directed energy systems for a wide range of missions and applications.
* As needed and desired, the candidate will contribute to other optics tasks (imaging, communications, etc)
* The candidate will develop optical models for simulation, and/or hardware for lab research. Basic Qualifications: * Typically requires a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of related experience; or an advanced degree with relevant experience who can immediately contribute at this job step; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
* Training and understanding of optical physics, modeling & simulation, and/or laser systems & metrology.
* Experience with the design, control, and integration of optomechanical systems * Familiarity with laboratory work on optical systems, such as research, development, and testing.
* Strong technical writing and oral presentation skills.
* The ability to conduct research and analysis in a collaborative environment.
* The ability to think critically and be proactive in pursuing research and problem-solving with minimal supervision.
* Must be U.S. citizen with an active Secret security clearance.
* Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
* This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site Preferred Qualifications: * Masters or PhD in Optical Science, Physics, or Electrical Engineering.
* Experience in the design and evaluation of directed energy systems.
* Experience with ZEMAX.
* Experience with AI-enabled computer vision systems and robotic systems.
* Experience in the design and evaluation of cross-cutting imaging technologies for defense, intelligence, transportation, or health.
* Top Secret security clearance. This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
Secret This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret/SCI Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$126,800 - $158,500 - $190,200 Annual Work Location Type:
Onsite It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law. MITRE intends to maintain a website that is fully accessible to all individuals. If you are unable to search or apply for jobs and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of MITRE's employment process, please email for general support and for intern positions. This service is for individuals requiring reasonable accommodation requests. Please note that vendor solicitations will not receive a reply. Benefits information may be found here . Copyright © 1997-2026, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved. MITRE is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation. Material on this site may be copied and distributed with permission only.