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Senior Principal Optical Engineer - EO/IR Systems

BAE Systems

Merrimack, NH · HybridFull-time$133–226K/yrSeen 6 days agoSeen in employer's feed 6 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$133–226K/yr
Location
Merrimack, NHHybrid
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.

Bachelor's degree

Job overview

BAE Systems seeks a Senior Principal Optical Engineer to develop and mature advanced EO/IR system concepts, including precision pointers, laser systems, and imaging systems. The role designs, analyzes, measures, integrates, tests, and validates optical subsystems and assemblies. The engineer works with multidisciplinary teams, presents program work to customers, and contributes to proposals. The position is hybrid, with onsite work three days per week.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Optical MetrologyOptical Integration and TestingOptical System ArchitecturePerformance AnalysisDesign VerificationOptical System ModelingSystem Data AnalysisOptical Lab TestingEO/IR Systems

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Optical Engineering or Related Technical Field10+ Years Optical Design ExperienceActive Secret ClearanceTop Secret Clearance

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off
Parental Leave

Full job description

Job Description

BAE Systems is currently looking for a talented Senior Principal Optical Engineer to join our EO/IR Capability Group . This group comprises a team of expert Optical, Electro-Optical, Opto-mechanical and Laser specialists dedicated to developing innovative hardware solutions that drive the success of our program portfolio.

The Optical Engineer will develop and mature advanced EO/IR system concepts. Work will support development of next-generation Precision Pointers, Laser Systems, Imaging Systems, and other complex EO/IR systems.

This will include the design, analysis, and measurement of optical subsystems. Responsibilities include the design and analysis of optical subsystems, and the integration, testing and validation of optical assemblies and optical subsystems. The work environment is fast-paced and presents many technical challenges as well as significant growth opportunities. Successful technical contributors will be comfortable working in multi-disciplinary teams, present current program work to customers as well as contribute to proposals for new projects.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities Include:

  • Perform Optical metrology for optical subassemblies

  • Lead Optical integration and test

  • Ability to develop into optical lead role

  • Design and develop optical system architectures and specifications for EO/IR Technology.

  • Predict and Perform performance analysis and design verification.

  • Perform system modeling and system data analysis to understand the overall performance of the optical system.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively

  • Contribute to program success

Hybrid : Onsite 3 days per week

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

  • BS degree in Optical Engineering or a related technical field

  • 10 or more years of experience in designing complex optical subassemblies and systems

  • Experience in optical labs, performing test set-up and data analysis

  • Experience in optical system level performance modeling

  • Broad understanding of EO/IR Systems

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

  • Must currently possess an active Secret Clearance

  • Preferred: Ability to obtain a Top Secret Clearance

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $132962 - $226035

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.

Senior Principal Optical Engineer - EO/IR Systems

131830BR

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 10,995 open Systems Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 29, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$133–226K/yr
  • New Hampshire median$118–201K/yr95 salary ranges
  • US median$116–186K/yr8,078 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $179K, is 13% above the New Hampshire median midpoint ($159K) — in the middle half of Systems Engineer salary ranges in New Hampshire.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 109 open Systems Engineer jobs in New Hampshire and 10,995 across the US. 4% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in New Hampshire
Experience
This posting asks for at least 10 years of experience — more than three in four Systems Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 9,191 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 4,697 of the 10,995 open Systems Engineer jobs (43%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 29, 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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