1

Military Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Optical Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$131K - $170K/yr

Optical Engineer The Opportunity: What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U ... Navy or other military service laser and EO systems * 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon ...

Optical Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$131K - $170K/yr

Share Optical Engineer The Opportunity: What if you could use your engineering skills to transform ... Navy or other military service laser and EO systems * 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon ...

Optical Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$77K - $176K/yr

Optical Engineer The Opportunity: What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U ... Navy or other military service laser and EO systems * 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon ...

Optical Engineer

Bedford, NH · On-site

$127K - $164K/yr

... military and law enforcement personnel. We have a high-paced, high-energy environment focused on ... The Optical Engineer will join a team focused on the development of new optical products and sub ...

$95K - $123K/yr

As an optical engineer, you understand the power behind complex systems. That knowledge is key when ... S. Navy or other military service laser and EO systems* 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon ...

Be Seen First

Optical Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$135K - $165K/yr

About the Role DigiLens is looking for an Optical Engineer to join our engineering team to support ... and military industries. We are an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will ...

Optical Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$131K - $170K/yr

Optical Engineer The Opportunity: What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U ... Navy or other military service laser and EO systems * 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon ...

Optical Engineer

Virginia, IL · On-site

$126K - $163K/yr

As an optical engineer, you understand the power behind complex systems. That knowledge is key when ... S. Navy or other military service laser and EO systems* 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon ...

Optical Engineer

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$131K - $170K/yr

As an optical engineer, you understand the power behind complex systems.That knowledge is key when ... Navy or other military service laser and EO systems * 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon ...

Optical Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

Optical Engineer About Cowboy Space Corp: Mission Cowboy Space Corporation is solving the global ... and military bases. Baiju Bhatt founded Cowboy Space Corporation in 2024. Inspired by his father ...

Staff Optical Engineer

Orlando, FL · Hybrid

$120K - $155K/yr

Building on our history of providing technology to the military segment, our target offerings ... As a key member of MicroVision's Optical Systems Engineering team, you will collaborate with ...

Staff Optical Engineer

Orlando, FL · On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

Building on our history of providing technology to the military segment, our target offerings ... As a key member of MicroVision's Optical Systems Engineering team, you will collaborate with ...

Optical Engineer

Sarasota, FL · On-site

$119K - $155K/yr

We are looking for an Optical Engineer to join our Engineering team. This position is full-time, ... Perform photometric evaluation/tests on various aerospace/military displays, controls and lighting ...

Staff Optical Engineer

Orlando, FL · Hybrid

$120K - $155K/yr

Building on our history of providing technology to the military segment, our target offerings ... As a key member of MicroVision's Optical Systems Engineering team, you will collaborate with ...

Optical Engineer

Sarasota, FL · On-site

$119K - $155K/yr

We are looking for an Optical Engineer to join our Engineering team. This position is full-time, ... Perform photometric evaluation/tests on various aerospace/military displays, controls and lighting ...

Our Bridgewater location is home to a large, multidisciplinary Optical Engineering team dedicated ... We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here

Optical Engineer

Sarasota, FL

$119K - $155K/yr

We are looking for an Optical Engineer to join our Engineering team. This position is full-time, ... Perform photometric evaluation/tests on various aerospace/military displays, controls and lighting ...

$77K - $176K/yr

Optical Engineer The Opportunity: What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U ... Navy or other military service laser and EO systems * 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Military Optical Engineer information

See salary details

$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

How much do military optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for military optical engineer in the United States is $143,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are popular job titles related to Military Optical Engineer jobs?

For Military Optical Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Military Optical Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.

Optical Engineer

Dahlgren, VA • On-site

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.
IT Services • 10K+ employees

$131K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 hours ago


Key responsibilities

  • Support and test electro-optic components for integration into high energy laser weapons systems.

  • Design test setups, develop test plans, record data, and report results related to optical systems and weapon testing.

  • Collaborate with engineering teams across disciplines to develop and support optical systems for directed energy weapons.


Booz Allen Hamilton rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Optical Engineer
The Opportunity:
What if you could use your engineering skills to transform the U.S. Navy's directed energy portfolio? As an optical engineer, you understand the power behind complex systems. That knowledge is key when it comes to the support and testing of electro-optic (EO) components for integration into high energy laser (HEL) weapons. We're looking for an optical engineer who can use their skills to support the development and testing of state-of-the-art weapon systems to enhance the capabilities of today's warfighter.
Our team supports the design of state-of-the-art directed energy weapons systems to enhance warfighter capabilities. That's why we need you, an optical engineer, who is interested in the testing of weapons systems. You'll directly impact the U.S. Navy and other Department of War entities by providing optical technical expertise. This is a chance to use your experience-based knowledge in optics and lasers while broadening your skillset. Join us and take on exciting challenges as we support the warfighter with state-of-the-art directed energy capabilities.
Join us. The world can't wait.
You Have:
  • 5+ years of experience with optical test equipment, including oscilloscopes, power meters, photodiodes, detectors, interferometers, wavefront sensors, spectrometers, or beam profilers
  • 5+ years of experience with alignment of optical components, cameras, lasers, or opto-mechanics
  • 3+ years of experience in labs including designing test setups, development of test plans, recording data, and reporting meaningful results
  • Experience in laser systems, including gain media, pump sources, thermal management and control, opto-mechanics, optical coatings, substrates, characterization and specification, beam shaping, or beam control
  • Experience with image processing for object tracking and detection, recognition, and identification, and in the testing of EO sensors as it applies to overall integration into a weapons system
  • Knowledge of the major components and integration of laser systems, including the optical train
  • Ability to collaborate with a variety of engineering specialties, such as mechanical, optical, or software, across a functional team in the development of optical systems
  • Ability to learn, adapt, and assist in testing of high priority weapons systems in a professional environment
  • Ability to obtain a Secret clearance
  • Bachelor's degree in an Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering field

Nice If You Have:
  • 10+ years of experience working with U.S. Navy or other military service laser and EO systems
  • 5+ years of experience with HEL weapon systems, including fiber laser technology
  • 5+ years of experience with ISR EO technology development, analysis, test and evaluation (T&E), and platform integration
  • Experience working with design and analysis software, including FRED, Zemax, WaveTrain, Solidworks, or MATLAB, and creating models using these packages in the design and layout of optical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems
  • Experience with pulsed lasers, fiber optics, free-space optics, nonlinear optics, spectroscopy, imaging and radiometric tools, or integrated photonics
  • Experience analyzing the effectiveness of HEL interactions with materials and components, laser propagation theory, and experiment, including modeling and characterizations of laser performance in relevant military environments and ranges
  • Knowledge of practical problems associated with the design, building, integration, and testing of laser weapons systems
  • Master's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field preferred; Doctorate degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field a plus

Clearance:
Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Compensation
At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen's benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page.
Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual's particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $77,500.00 to $176,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen's total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.
Identity Statement
As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.
Candidate AI Usage Policy
AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided.
Work Model
Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings.
  • Remote: If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility.
  • Hybrid: If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility.
  • Onsite: If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role.

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.

What Booz Allen Hamilton employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Booz Allen Hamilton logo

About Booz Allen Hamilton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Booz Allen Hamilton is a leading provider of management and technology consulting services to the US government in defense, intelligence, and civil markets. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, the firm also serves major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Founded in 1914 by Edwin G. Booz, the company has a long-standing tradition of helping clients achieve success by delivering a wide range of consulting services that include strategic planning, human capital and learning, communication, systems development, and others. The company's mission is to empower people to change the world, and it has a reputation for maintaining the highest standards of integrity and-excellence.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

McLean, VA, US

Year founded

1914