Description
Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?
At Leidos, we deliver innovive solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dediced to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and opere sustainable. 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.
Are you ready for your next career challenge?
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, geospial and da analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operions support. Our team is solving the world’s toughest security challenges for customers with “can’t fail” missions.
Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions such as Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR), Space Control, and Space-Based Sensing. Leidos programs are funded by multiple U.S. government sponsors as well as internal research and development (IR&D) efforts. The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals reled to optical imaging systems opering in the visible and infrared spectrum. Upon contract award, responsibilities include system conceptualizion, optical design, performance analysis, payload construction, testing, and integrion.
The candide should be able to conceptualize optical designs and oversee their mechanical implemention into qualified flight instruments, with demonstred proficiency in mechanical modeling for proposal and concept development. The candide should understand radiometric requirements, optical performance specificions, and payload hardware development to design optical systems using Zemax. A strong understanding of aberrion theory and its impact on system performance is required.
The candide should also be proficient in optical tolerancing, hermalizion analysis, and lens manufacturing methods and drawing standards. Experience in stray light control, Structural Thermal Optical Performance (STOP) analysis, and laborory testing and evaluion is required. Additionally, knowledge of infrared lens design and reflective optical system design is essential.
Basic Qualificions
Bachelor of Science degree with 12+ years of prior relevant experience or Master of Science with 10+ years of prior relevant experience. May possess a Doctore in a relevant technical domain.
Infrared and Visible lens design using Zemax experience required.
Knowledge of how electro-optical systems are designed, specified, developed, manufactured, and tested including Focal Plane Arrays, bandpass filter performance, AR coing, and Lyot stop implemention.
Experience in prototype and production development, including testing and demonstrions.
Knowledge and experience in laborory alignment, testing, and evaluion.
Working knowledge of MS Office applicions, MLab, and Solidworks.
Effective communicion, coordinion, and customer engagement skills.
Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment.
Minimum of an active SECRET security clearance with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.
Preferred Qualificions
Stray light performance analysis using FRED
Bandpass and AR coing development
Radiometric modeling
Manufacturing and assembly process knowledge
If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the stus 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 step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
May 29, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipes th this job requisition will remain open for least 3 days with an anticiped close de of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting de as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compension or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, educion, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market da, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovions. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximely $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more informion, visit www.Leidos.com.
Pay and Benefits
Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. Th's why we craft compension packages th reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compension, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.
Securing Your Da
Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-reled informion during any part of the employment applicion process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communice with you through emails th are genered by the Leidos.com automed system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos th asks for payment-reled informion or any other personal informion (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediely by emailing us LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Commitment to Non-Discriminion
All qualified applicants will receive considerion for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, nional origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic informion, pregnancy, family structure, marital stus, ancestry, domestic partner stus, sexual oriention, gender identity or expression, veteran or military stus, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.
