Optical Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

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Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with "can't fail" missions.

The Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking an Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in the development of advanced optical payload systems for next-generation space missions. The Space Business Area is transforming space payload solutions for the future through both customer-funded programs and internal research and development (IR&D) efforts focused on enabling new capabilities in space-based sensing.

In this role, you will support the design, modeling, and experimental validation of optical systems operating in the visible and infrared spectrum. You will contribute to optical system modeling and performance analysis, assist with design trades and system-level evaluations, and support the development of compact, high-performance payloads.

You will also play a hands-on role in laboratory activities, including optical alignment, integration, testing, and characterization of components and prototype systems. Working closely with senior engineers and cross-functional teams, you will help evaluate and mature emerging optical technologies-such as diffractive and meta-optics-analyze experimental data to inform design decisions, and document results to support internal R&D and program efforts.

This position emphasizes a balance of analytical and experimental work. The ideal candidate is comfortable working across simulation and laboratory environments and is motivated to grow technical expertise in both domains.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Optics, or a related field with 4+ years of experience or a Master's degree with 2+ years of prior relevant experience

• US citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance

• Experience with optical system modeling, simulation, or analysis

• Familiarity with optical performance metrics such as PSF, MTF, encircled energy, and radiometric considerations

• Experience working in a laboratory environment, including optical alignment, testing, or characterization

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail

• Effective communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative team environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain a higher-level clearance (TS/SCI)

• Experience with infrared optical systems or sensors

• Hands-on experience with experimental optics, optical testbed development, and optical metrology

• Experience with optical design tools such as Zemax or CODE V

• Experience with modeling tools such as COMSOL, Lumerical, or equivalent

• Experience with electronic design automation tools and file formats (e.g., GDSII)

• Exposure to advanced optical technologies such as diffractive optics, meta-optics, or integrated photonics

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.