Senior Principal Optical Designer

Date Posted:

2026-06-08

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-CA-EL SEGUNDO-E01 ~ 2000 E El Segundo Blvd ~ BLDG E01

Position Role Type:

Hybrid

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

DoD Clearance: Secret

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required after day 1

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world. 

Raytheon brings the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. We deliver solutions that help our nation and allies defend freedom and deter aggression, creating a safer, more secure world. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.

Raytheon in El Segundo, CA seeks a motivated Optical Designer to apply their interest, training, and expertise to optical design, analysis, assembly, integration, and test. Our Space Optics Department develops optical imaging telescopes, spectrometers, sensors, and special test equipment. We own all aspects of the optical design needed to field innovative sensor solutions that meet mission requirements. Tasks will include innovative optical design for new space and airborne programs, supported by tolerance and alignment simulations. Additional responsibilities may include stray light analysis, STOP analysis, image simulation, and radiometry. This engineer will maintain optics-related error trees, budgets, and allocations throughout the program and support backend requirements verification of the as-built optical design and test configuration. They must be able to work in both a collaborative environment and as an individual contributor with minimal supervision, depending on project needs. This engineer will also serve as a technical resource across multiple programs, providing leadership and oversight where required, and is expected to mentor junior optical engineers in optical design.

What You Will Do

• Perform optical design and analysis using Zemax, CodeV, FRED, and/or MATLAB.
• Conduct stray light analysis using Zemax, CodeV, or FRED.
• Develop and tolerance optical designs to ensure manufacturability.
• Derive optical requirements and generate supporting drawings.
• Maintain optical error trees and budgets (e.g., wavefront, spectral, mechanical).
• Support test equipment design, alignment activities, and requirements verification.
• Present technical work in face‑to‑face meetings with management and customers.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum of 10 years of prior relevant experience.
• Experience with optical design/analysis and CAD software.
• Experience with optical alignment and measurement equipment.
• Experience performing optical design and analysis using Zemax or Code V.
• Experience designing refractive and reflective optical systems.
• Experience modeling optical alignment procedures.
• Experience collaborating with optical fabrication suppliers.

Qualifications We Prefer

• Experience performing stray‑light analysis using FRED.
• Experience building, aligning, and testing optical assemblies.
• Experience designing opto‑mechanical hardware in CREO.
• Existing security clearance(s).

What We Offer 

• A total rewards package that goes above and beyond with compensation; healthcare, wellness, and work/life benefits; career development and recognition programs. Some of the benefits we offer include parental (including paternal) leave, flexible work schedules, achievement awards, educational assistance and child/adult backup care. 

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, Innovation, and Safety. 

• Relocation assistance available. 

Learn More & Apply Now! 

• Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. 

• This position requires onsite work in El Segundo, CA: Welcome to Raytheon in El Segundo, CA 
• This position requires security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: https://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm  

#LI-TR1 

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 145,600 USD - 276,800 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.
Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.
Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.
This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.
RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX 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, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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