Skip to main content
Northrop Grumman logo

Principal Optical Subsystem I&T Engineer - 3

Northrop Grumman

Chandler, AZJob$108–162K/yrSeen 1mo agoSeen in employer's feed 6 days ago

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

You apply on the employer's site, with no Olive account needed.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
$108–162K/yr
Location
Chandler, AZ
Work Authorization
US work authorization required

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

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Secret clearance, required

Job overview

Northrop Grumman seeks a Principal Optical Subsystem I&T Engineer to support its Seeker Integrated Product Team in Chandler, Arizona. The role assists with integration and testing of electro-optical hardware, including test execution, equipment preparation, data collection, and reporting. The engineer collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and supports system performance verification, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Optical Systems Handling, requiredLaboratory Tools, requiredTest Methodologies, requiredLaboratory Safety, requiredLaser Safety, requiredElectrical Safety, requiredSensitive Instrumentation Handling, requiredLaboratory Organization, requiredInventory Management, requiredEquipment Tracking, requiredWorkspace Cleanliness, requiredOrganization, requiredCommunication, requiredTechnical Writing, requiredTeamwork, requiredMissile Systems, nice to haveSeeker Systems, nice to haveHigh-Reliability EO Applications, nice to haveEO Imaging Systems, nice to haveOptical Alignment, nice to haveOptical Testing, nice to haveOptical Hardware Integration, nice to haveOptical Instruments, nice to haveAutocollimators, nice to haveTheodolites, nice to haveLasers, nice to haveOptical Design Software, nice to haveZemax, nice to haveCode V, nice to haveFRED, nice to haveData Analysis, nice to haveLabVIEW, nice to haveMATLAB, nice to havePython, nice to haveTeam-Based Technical Projects, nice to have

Qualifications

Bachelor's in Optical Engineering or Related, requiredBachelor's in Physics or Related, requiredBachelor's in Electrical Engineering or Related, requiredBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or Related, requiredBachelor's+5 Yrs or Master's, requiredDoD Secret Clearance Eligibility, requiredActive DoD Secret Clearance, nice to haveMaster's in Optical Engineering or Related, nice to haveMaster's in Physics or Related, nice to haveMaster's in Electrical Engineering or Related, nice to haveMaster's in Mechanical Engineering or Related, nice to have

Benefits

Relocation Assistance
Medical Insurance
Paid Time Off

Full job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: Yes

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems is looking for a Principal Optical Subsystem I&T Engineer to support the Electro-Optics (EO) Group within the Launch Vehicles business unit in Chandler, Arizona.

This position supports the Seeker Integrated Product Team (IPT) and will assist in the integration and testing of EO hardware, working alongside senior engineers and multidisciplinary teams to ensure subassembly and system level performance. The selected candidate should excel in a fast-paced environment with diverse assignments and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities :

  • Support the integration and testing of electro-optical subsystems (EO), including hardware set-up, configuration, and execution of test procedures under supervision.

  • Assist in the development and review of test plans and procedures based on detailed system requirements and design documentation.

  • Execute assigned test activities, collect and record data, and contribute to the analysis to help verify system and component performance.

  • Help maintain, calibrate, and prepare optical test equipment and laboratory environments.

  • Document test results and prepare clear test reports for review by program stakeholders.

  • Collaborate with systems engineers, design teams, and program management to support program milestones and technical objectives.

  • Follow all company, safety, and government standards for lab and test activities.

  • Participate in technical team meetings and training to grow skills and contribute to team success.

  • Support root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives as appropriate.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline from an accredited university and 5 years of relevant experience; or a Master’s degree.

  • Ability to obtain a U.S. Government Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance at the time of application.

  • Familiarity with optical or electro-optical systems handling, laboratory tools, and test methodologies (coursework, projects, or internships).

  • Familiarity with laboratory safety protocols, including laser safety, electrical safety, and handling of sensitive instrumentation.

  • Experience maintaining or organizing laboratory spaces (inventory management, equipment tracking, or workspace cleanliness initiatives).

  • Interest in hands-on integration and testing of complex hardware.

  • Good organization, communication, and technical writing skills.

  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team and receive guidance from senior engineers.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.

  • Active U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance at the time of application.

  • Experience with missile systems, seeker systems, or high-reliability EO applications.

  • Experience with EO imaging systems (visible to infrared), alignment, or testing (project or internship).

  • Hands on experience with optical alignment, laboratory setups, or working with optical hardware, fixtures, and precision instruments.

  • Knowledge of laboratory instruments (autocollimators, theodolites, lasers), or hands-on hardware integration.

  • Experience with (or coursework in) optical design or analysis software (e.g., Zemax, Code V, FRED).

  • Exposure to data analysis tools (LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python) through coursework or projects.

  • Demonstrated participation in team-based technical projects or internships.

#AZSpace - https://jobs.northropgrumman.com/careers?query=AZSpace

#SPEnhancedERAP

Primary Level Salary Range: $108,200.00 - $162,400.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Job Category: Engineering

How this job compares

Set against the 434 open Optical Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$108–162K/yr
  • US median$115–201K/yr384 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $135K, is 15% below the US median midpoint ($159K) — in the middle half of Optical Engineer salary ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 16 open Optical Engineer jobs in Arizona and 434 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most across the US
Experience
This posting asks for at least 5 years of experience; Optical Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (377 postings).
Education
264 of the 434 open Optical Engineer jobs (61%) 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.

Prepare for this role

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.