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FAST Labs - Senior Principal II Engineer - EO/IR Systems ($10K Sign On Bonus)

BAE Systems

Merrimack, NHFull-time$150–254K/yrSeen 2mo agoSeen in employer's feed 5 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$150–254K/yr
Location
Merrimack, NH
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Secret clearance, requiredBachelor's degree, required

Job overview

BAE Systems seeks a Senior Principal II Engineer to lead EO/IR system architecture, design, integration, and test efforts within FAST Labs. The role demands expert optical engineering expertise, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, and the ability to transition technologies for productization, all while supporting the U.S. military's operational needs.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Optical System Design, requiredEO/IR System Requirements Analysis, requiredSystem Requirements Allocation, requiredLeadership, requiredCommunication, requiredCollaboration, requiredFast-Paced Adaptability, requiredTechnical Management, requiredMATLAB, requiredPython, requiredProblem Solving, requiredDebugging, required

Qualifications

Active Secret Clearance, requiredBachelor's Degree in Optical Engineering or Related Field, required8 Years Professional Experience in Optics, requiredActive Top Secret Clearance, nice to haveMaster's Degree in Optical Engineering or Related Field, nice to havePhD in Optical Engineering or Related Field, nice to haveExperience Integrating and Testing EO/IR Systems, nice to haveKnowledge of Digital Engineering Methodologies, nice to haveExperience in Rapid Prototype Environment, nice to haveDemonstrated Success in System Engineering Integration and Test Leadership, nice to have

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Match

Full job description

Job Description

Join our dynamic team of innovators and shape the future of technology with us. We're on the hunt for curious and driven individuals who thrive in collaborative environments and are passionate about harnessing the power of optical sensing technology to drive meaningful operational impact for our country's warfighters. If you're a creative problem-solver, a lifelong learner, and a team player who is always looking for ways to improve and innovate, we'd love to meet you. Our ideal candidate is someone who is proactive, adaptable, and excited about tackling new challenges head-on. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting your journey, if you're eager to learn, grow, and make a real difference, we want to hear from you.

Join the Cutting-Edge Research and Development Team in FAST Labs

The BAE Systems' FAST Labs team conducts research and development in the following areas to create advanced electronic solutions for the U.S. military. These areas include

Advanced Electronics

Autonomy

Sensors & Processing

Artificial Intelligence

Electronic Warfare

Cyber Operations & Defense

We foster a "what's next" mentality, driving the creation of cutting-edge solutions that address the defense industry's most pressing challenges. Our goal is to deliver game-changing capabilities that enhance situational awareness, accelerate decision-making, and improve operational efficiencies. By pushing the boundaries of what's possible, we're able to provide our warfighters with the strategic advantage they need to succeed. This critical work is core to our mission and reflects our unwavering commitment to "Protect Those Who Protect Us .

Join our team as a Senior Principal II EO/IR Engineer in FAST Labs Engineering

As a key member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge EO/IR projects, collaborating with others to design, develop, and implement innovative mission solutions. Your work will involve:

  • Leading EO/IR system architecture and design development: Lead efforts to architect, design, and document early lifecycle EO/IR systems and associated capabilities.

  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams: Work closely with multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholder through EO/IR system development and integration challenges.

  • Operating with tailored system engineering processes: Use dynamic, agile engineering methods and approaches that align with system cost, schedule, and performance requirements.

  • Leading product integration and verification efforts: Actively lead product integration and verification efforts, including development of methods and strategies to apply across the entire system design.

  • Leading test campaigns: Lead test campaign efforts to demonstrate developed capabilities and provide operational value in relevant environments.

  • Transitioning technology for productization: Work internally across BAE's Electronic Sector Business Areas to transition technology for productization.

Grow Your Career with a Purpose

At BAE Systems, we're committed to helping you achieve your full potential in the EO/IR engineering field. You'll be part of a high-performing team of passionate and motivated engineers who share a common goal: to protect our military service personnel and innovate for the greater good. Our mission is built on two core principles: "Protecting Those Who Protect Us" and "Innovating For Those Who Move The World". By joining our team, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects, collaborate with talented professionals, and advance your career through ongoing growth and development opportunities. We're dedicated to supporting your continued education and professional development, offering comprehensive training programs, mentorship, and tuition assistance to help you pursue advanced degrees or certifications. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills in a specific area or take your career to the next level, we're committed to investing in your future and helping you achieve your goals.

Work Environment

This role requires 100% on-site work at a BAE Systems facility due to the need for consistent, in-person collaboration and secure access to sensitive information. Occasional domestic travel may be required to support integration and test events.

We believe that a healthy work-life balance is essential to your success and well-being. That's why we prioritize flexibility and support your needs outside of work, so you can thrive in all aspects of your life. At BAE Systems, you'll find a culture that values your contributions, fosters collaboration and innovation, and recognizes the importance of balance and well-being. Join us and discover a career that's both challenging and rewarding, with a purpose that makes a real difference.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

  • Active Secret Clearance

  • Bachelor's Degree in optical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field

  • 8 years of professional experience in optics, lasers, precision pointing, optical lens systems, or imaging systems

  • Expert-level experience with design of optical systems for EO/IR technology

  • Expert-level experience with collecting, analyzing, and documenting EO/IR system requirements

  • Experience allocating system requirements to subsystem requirements for creating supplier requirements for custom optical designs

  • Excellent leadership, communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with engineers in other disciplines

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing requirements

  • Proven technical management skills with ability to deliver high-quality optical capabilities

  • Proficient with MATLAB and/or Python

  • Excellent problem solving and debugging skills

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

  • Active Top Secret Clearance

  • Master's Degree or PhD in optical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field

  • Experience integrating and testing hardware and optical components in a laboratory environments

  • Experience integrating and testing EO/IR systems in operationally relevant environments

  • Knowledge of Digital Engineering methodologies and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practices.

  • Experience in a rapid prototype environment

  • Demonstrated success in System Engineering, Integration, and Test leadership roles

  • Understanding of military operations and application of RF, cyber, and EW capabilities in these environments to enable mission success

  • Experience participating and leading documentation and communication efforts with multi-disciplinary teams on to develop data-driven designs, results, reports, and presentations

  • Experience in developing proposals and engineering work plans for Department of War research and development efforts

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $149603 - $254317

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20 hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

FAST Labs - Senior Principal II Engineer - EO/IR Systems ($10K Sign On Bonus)

129309BR

EEO Career Site Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities . females . veterans . individuals with disabilities . sexual orientation . gender identity . gender expression

How this job compares

Set against the 5,236 open Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$150–254K/yr
  • New Hampshire median$97–163K/yr20 salary ranges
  • US median$105–184K/yr2,884 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $202K, is 52% above the New Hampshire median midpoint ($133K) — in the top quarter of Engineer salary ranges in New Hampshire.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 33 open Engineer jobs in New Hampshire and 5,236 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in New Hampshire
Experience
This posting asks for at least 8 years of experience; Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (4,036 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 3,853 of the 5,236 open Engineer jobs (74%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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