Demo

Lead Optical Systems Engineer

Radiance Technologies
Huntsville, AL Full Time
POSTED ON 7/23/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 8/13/2026
Radiance Technologies, a 100% employee-owned company, is seeking candidates for a Lead Optical Systems Engineer position. The candidate will provide critical technical support and systems engineering oversight to a government program office focused on countering emerging surveillance systems. This position will leverage DoDI 5000.02 Middle Tier Acquisition for Rapid Prototyping, requiring a talented engineer who can work with a cross-functional team and oversee contractor efforts in the design, integration and test of novel directed energy weapon systems. The candidate will provide systems engineering and technical assistance (SETA) support all phases of an end-to-end system lifecycle from design and development to test, evaluation, and operations of advanced optical systems.

Required Skills

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active DoD Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility.
  • Proven ability to lead technical teams and initiatives in a dynamic environment. Can lead an integrated team focused on laser systems, beam directors and integration.
  • Advise the Government Product Team on matters of the physics and engineering constraints of high-power laser systems.
  • A self-starter with exceptional oral and written communication skills suitable for interacting with government customers and development contractors.
  • Ability analyze and assimilate technical information, lead technical assessments and provide recommendations to the Government customer.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills. Can convey complex technical concepts to non-specialists.

Required Experience

  • 10 years of relevant experience in design, development, and test of systems. Minimum 5 years focused on optical systems, directed energy, high-power lasers, or similar technologies
  • Integrating complex systems using System Engineering Principles.
  • Experience with radiometry, pulsed lasers and continuous wave lasers.
  • Experience reviewing and assessing optical system designs, test procedures and test results.
  • Experience building or analyzing an optical system link budget to assess requirements and design feasibility.
  • Familiarity with integrating optical payloads onto ground-based or airborne platforms.

Desired Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in a relevant technical field.
  • Degree (any level) with a focus in Optical Engineering.
  • Familiarity with programs utilizing Other Transactional Authority (OTA) vehicles.
  • Working knowledge of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and its application to optical system design.
  • Experience with test and evaluation of directed energy systems.
  • Experience with hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing of directed energy systems.
  • Experience with active and passive tracking, beam control, and atmospheric propagation

Understanding laser/ma

Radiance Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Salary.com Estimation for Lead Optical Systems Engineer in Huntsville, AL
$128,092 to $164,472
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