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Director Optical Engineer Jobs in Phoenix, AZ (NOW HIRING)

LightPath

Director of Construction

Phoenix, AZ

... optic cable and wireless infrastructure in urban and/or rural environments. The Director of ... Support the Engineering and Permitting team in the timely acquisition of municipal and utility ...

Lightpath

Director of Construction

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

... optic cable and wireless infrastructure in urban and/or rural environments. The Director of ... Support the Engineering and Permitting team in the timely acquisition of municipal and utility ...

Trace3

Engineer: Tier 2 (On-site)

Phoenix, AZ

Perform basic or pre-defined tasks as directed by the team lead. * Actively participate during the ... Ability to properly identify various fiber optic cables and optics (LC, SC, FC, Single Mode ...

Trace3

Engineer: Tier 1 (On-site)

Phoenix, AZ

Perform basic or pre-defined tasks as directed by the team lead. * Actively participate during the ... Ability to properly identify various fiber optic cables and optics (LC, SC, FC, Single Mode ...

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Director Optical Engineer information

See Phoenix, AZ salary details

$82.4K

$142.6K

$167.3K

How much do director optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director optical engineer in Phoenix, AZ is $142,593.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $128,100.00 and $165,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Director Optical Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectDirector Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's/PhD in optics, physics, or engineering; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in optics, physics, or engineering
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D, product development, managing teamsDesign, testing, and development of optical systems
Industry UsageStrategic oversight, project management, cross-department coordinationHands-on technical work, prototype development, testing

The main difference is that a Director Optical Engineer focuses on strategic leadership, team management, and project oversight, while an Optical Engineer is primarily involved in technical design and development tasks. The director role requires more experience and leadership skills, whereas the optical engineer role emphasizes technical expertise and hands-on work.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ? The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Optical Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ? For Director Optical Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Optical Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ look for? The top searched job categories for Director Optical Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:
What cities near Phoenix, AZ are hiring for Director Optical Engineer jobs? Cities near Phoenix, AZ with the most Director Optical Engineer job openings:
Director Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Optical Engineer job openings in Phoenix, AZ as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,593 per year, or $68.6 per hour.
Systems Engineer - Optical - Level 3/4

Systems Engineer - Optical - Level 3/4

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Chandler, AZ

$122.80K - $184.20K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Northrop Grumman rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 336 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

103rd of 511 rated manufacturers

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be availableCLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: YesCLEARANCE TYPE: SecretTRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the TimeDescriptionAt Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is seeking a Systems Engineer - Level 3/4 to support the program, with focus in the Electro-Optical / Infrared Systems, located in Chandler, AZ.

This position is 100% on site in Chandler, AZ

Job Summary and Responsibilities:

  • The candidate should possess strong technical problem solving, written and verbal communication skills to generate and document system level interceptor requirements, perform vehicle performance assessments and participate in system level verification/data review activities.

  • Creates new system requirements and manages requirement changes in the Requirements Management databases working effectively with IPT leaders and team members.

  • The candidate should possess a strong resolve to drive tasks to completion autonomously and possess demonstrated mentoring/training skills.

  • Creates and manages both original and revised specification/interface definition documents and coordinates document approval through peer review and signature process.

  • Support risk management (identifies potential risk) and trade study processes.

  • Manages aspects of system design, analyses, interface verification, testing, minor failure/anomaly resolution or mission operations.

  • Participates in the creation of and manages changes to system or subsystem analytical models.

  • Interface with IPT engineering staff as required.

  • Candidate will facilitate the development and execution of technical reviews for the program such as SRR, PDR, and CDR

This position may be offered at Level 3 or 4

Salary Systems Engineer - Level 3 $98,400 - $147,600

Salary Systems Engineer - Level 4 $122,800 - $184,200

Basic Qualifications

Systems Engineer - Level 3

  • Requires BS in Engineering, preferably in Optical Engineering, with a minimum of 5 years related experience or Masters Degree with 3 years of related experience.

Sr. Principal Engineer Systems Level 4 Requires

  • Requires BS in Engineering, preferably in Optical Engineering, with a minimum of 8 years related experience or Masters Degree with 6 years of related experience.

Common Basic Qualifications:

  • Systems Engineering Experience with EO/IR Tracking Systems

  • Can perform line of sight and other performance analyses of optical payload systems

  • Understanding of EO/IR Error Factors and allocation of EO/IR Error Budget

  • Experience with requirements decomposition and allocation

  • U.S. Citizenship is required

  • Must have an active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at time of application, current and within scope

  • Strong oral and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Active US DoD Secret security clearance, or higher.

  • Willingness to work fast paced development programs

  • Ability to travel is required

  • Experience leading within an IPT organization as a lead or a SME

  • Experience with Systems Engineering fundamentals such as requirements management, verification, and design review execution

Working at Northrop Grumman is more than just a paycheck. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive at work and in life. For more information on our Total Rewards package, please visit our Total Rewards site.

Northrop Grumman Total Rewards

Primary Level Salary Range: $98,400.00 - $147,600.00Secondary Level Salary Range: $122,800.00 - $184,200.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

What Northrop Grumman employees say

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About Northrop Grumman

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work - and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible.

Industry

Space research administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US

Year founded

1939

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