Lead Optical Engineering, Stray light

L3Harris

Confirmed live yesterday High trust

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Rochester, NY
Salary
$117,000–$218,000 / yr
Posted
1 day ago
Freshness
Confirmed live yesterday

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Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $190k
This role $168k
$104k most similar roles pay here $242k

This role pays less than 63% of similar roles. Most pay $150,593–$228,650 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $168k versus about $190k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About L3Harris

L3Harris Technologies is a US aerospace and defense technology company providing space and airborne systems, communications, electronic warfare, and missile propulsion solutions for government and commercial customers.

L3Harris currently has 470 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $106,500–$197,500 across 185 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Lead Optical Engineering, Stray light

Lead, Optical Engineering - Stray light serves as a technical leader within the engineering team to support the design, analysis, and development of advanced optical and electro-optical systems for aerospace and defense applications. The role focuses on stray light analysis and control methods, where the individual will develop non-sequential models, perform performance analyses, and evaluate how factors like ghosting and scattering impact active and passive imaging payloads in space environments. Key responsibilities include conducting trade studies for baffles and surface treatments, managing technical documentation, and mentoring junior engineers. Required skills include proficiency with FRED, Matlab, Python, and optical design software such as CodeV or Zemax OpticStudio. The role addresses critical challenges regarding radiometric accuracy and signal-to-noise ratios in complex imaging systems to ensure mission success in demanding operational environments.

What you'll do

  • Develop non-sequential stray light and radiometric models for active and passive imaging systems.
  • Perform end-to-end optical performance analyses to connect design features to mission-level image quality and signal-to-noise outcomes.
  • Evaluate and manage trade studies for baffles, stops, surface treatments, and alignment strategies to mitigate stray light.
  • Provide technical leadership in troubleshooting and root cause analysis of optical performance issues during development and testing.
  • Generate and review technical documentation including test plans, error budgets, and requirements verification artifacts.
  • Support hardware builds, laboratory demonstrations, and integration efforts for space-based electro-optical systems.
  • Mentor junior engineers on optical analysis, test execution, and engineering best practices.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree and 9 years of experience, a graduate degree and 7 years of experience, or 13 years of experience without a degree.
  • Ability to obtain a federal security clearance.
  • 2-3 years of experience with optical stray light analysis tools such as FRED.
  • Experience in designing, manufacturing, integrating, testing, and selling space-based EO/IR subsystems (preferred).
  • Hands-on experience with optical metrology equipment and phase retrieval techniques (preferred).
  • Proficiency with specialized metrology software like Zygo Mx or QED.NET (preferred).
  • Experience with optical design software such as CodeV or Zemax OpticStudio (preferred).
  • U.S. citizens.

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