Innovate to solve the world's most important challenges
When you join Honeywell Aerospace, you become a member of our global team of thinkers, innovators, dreamers who make the things that make the future.
That means changing the way we navigate, communicate, and sense the world around us. In this role you will help advance research in quantum and optical sensing to introduce new products and improve state-of-the art commercial and defense aerospace technologies.
Are you ready to help us make the future?
As an Optical and Photonics R&D Scientist within Honeywell Aerospace's Advanced Sensing Technology group, you will join a team of scientists and engineers translating today's research into tomorrow's optical sensing technologies. You will impact the future of Honeywell by leading the ideation, conceptualization, and prototyping of innovative solutions. You will collaborate with internal and external partners to leverage collective expertise and resources, ensuring that R&D projects adhere to industry standards. Your contributions will help bring R&D innovations to market, addressing global challenges through innovative solutions.
ResponsibilitiesAs an Advanced Optical and Photonic Scientist in Honeywell Aerospace's Advanced Sensing Technology group, you will use your technical skills to support several projects in a fast/-paced R&D environment. You will have the opportunity to advance research and development of technologies such as atomic clocks, atomic RF sensors, and photonics.
In this role you will help advance research in quantum and optical sensing to introduce new products and improve state-of-the art commercial and defense aerospace technologies. We are committed to innovation, research, and development of novel technologies and are at the forefront of bringing emerging technology to real world applications.
- Work as part of our team of scientists and engineers to develop novel optical sensing technologies
- Apply your skills to find creative solutions through rigorous analysis, engineering, and experimentation.
- Interact with fabrication team to implement designs within the constraints of the fab tools.
- Effectively communicate your ideas and results to research sponsors, scientific peers, and business leadership, through effective presentations, publications, and the writing of proposals.
- Use your expertise to spur the growth of our technology portfolio in new directions, shaping the future of sensing technology.
NOTE: Considering candidates at varying seniority levels
QualificationsYOU MUST HAVE
- Research experience in two or more of the following areas:
- Optical system modeling, design, and characterization
- Fiber optics
- Integrated photonics
- Nonlinear optics
- Optical combs
- Stabilized laser systems
- Optical sensors
WE VALUE
- PhD degree in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics, optical engineering, or equivalent
- Track record of solving difficult, complex problems through innovation, analysis, engineering, and experimentation.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills reflected in a record of published results and public presentations in your field of research.
- The ability to work in a diverse team
BENEFITS OF WORKING AT HONEYWELL AEROSPACE
Beyond a performance-driven salary, you'll work alongside dedicated experts on technology that's advancing aviation. As a Honeywell Aerospace employee, you're eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
• Employer-subsidized medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts
• Employee assistance program and educational assistance
• Parental leave and 12 paid holidays
• Paid time off for vacation, personal and sick time
Explore your benefits: https://honeywellaerospacebenefits.com/
U.S. PERSON REQUIREMENTS
Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. person, which is defined as, a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status in the U.S. under asylum or refugee status.
ABOUT HONEYWELL AEROSPACE
Join a company that's reintroducing itself to the aviation community we've helped advance for more than a century. At Honeywell Aerospace (NASDAQ: HONA), we're launching as an independent, publicly traded aerospace and defense company built on a legacy of operational excellence and mission-focused execution.
Our new brand identity pairs that heritage with real momentum, as we build technology that helps pilots navigate with confidence, aircraft operate more efficiently, and operators stay ahead of change. With our systems on board 90% of the world's aircraft, your work here has reach that's rare to find anywhere else.
Focusing on our customers, investing in innovation, and building a culture of accountability and performance is how we're shaping what comes next.
Every horizon. Every mission. Every day.
ABOUT HONEYWELL ELECTRONIC SOLUTIONS
Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on aircraft across commercial aviation, defense and space — from engines and cockpit electronics to cabin systems, mechanical components and connectivity solutions. Our technology helps operators fly more safely, reduce fuel consumption, improve on-time performance and deliver a better experience for the people on board.
As aviation continues to evolve, we're also developing systems to support autonomous and supersonic platforms, bringing the same focus on safety and efficiency to the next era of flight. With approximately 36,000 employees worldwide and net sales of $17.4B in 2025, Honeywell Aerospace is one of the largest dedicated aerospace companies in the world. Explore our businesses: https://www.honeywellaerospace.com
Honeywell Aerospace Electronic Solutions develops the avionics, navigation systems, sensors and electromagnetic defense technology that help aircraft perform safely and with precision. Our systems are on board 90% of the world's aircraft — serving commercial aviation, defense and space operators from integrated flight deck platforms with 30-plus years in service to radiation-hardened systems trusted for human spaceflight.
(NOTE: Salary range listed is for Advanced Scientist level - range at other seniority levels will vary)
The annual base salary range for this position (at Advanced Scientist level) is $115,000 - $144,000. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Honeywell considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Job Posting Date: October 21st, 2026.
Skills Required
- Research experience in at least two areas: optical system modeling, design, and characterization; fiber optics; integrated photonics; nonlinear optics; optical combs; stabilized laser systems; or optical sensors.
- U.S. person status, defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or person with protected asylum or refugee status.
- PhD in electrical engineering, physics, applied physics, optical engineering, or an equivalent field.
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems through innovation, analysis, engineering, and experimentation.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills demonstrated through published research and public presentations.
- Ability to work effectively in a diverse team.
The Aerospace Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about The Aerospace Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by The Aerospace Corporation.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) plan provides a company‑paid contribution of 8–12% based on years of service with immediate eligibility and vesting, and eligible employees can access retiree medical benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off includes 15 vacation days (rising to 20 after five years), nine paid holidays, and unlimited sick time for exempt employees with accruals for non‑exempt staff.
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Flexible Benefits — Flexible work models include a 9/80 schedule with alternating Fridays off, supported by backup care services, an EAP, relocation assistance, and home‑office stipends where applicable.
The Aerospace Corporation Insights
What We Do
The space enterprise has been transformed by rapid change and growth. New vehicles for national security space, a more rapid launch cadence, proliferated satellite constellations, the pursuit of interplanetary exploration, and thriving commercial ventures are changing the nature of the space industry. The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) is a leading architect for U.S. space programs, shaping efforts to outpace threats to our national security while cultivating the technologies needed to further this new era of space commercialization and exploration. Aerospace works across the space enterprise in service of the public interest. In addition to supporting the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community, our customers include NASA, NOAA, numerous federal agencies, and commercial space — all of whom benefit from our deep technical knowledge. We only pursue business related to the space mission and complementary fields, operating as the nation’s trusted partner to solve the toughest challenges and develop reliable and innovative technologies. Innovation in space occurs when people have the freedom to imagine and do. At Aerospace, we take pride in our readiness to solve some of the most complex challenges in the space enterprise.
Why Work With Us
We are a non-profit corporation chartered by the government to work on the hardest problems in space. We employ technical experts in every discipline of space-related science and engineering who touch every part of the US space program. Come join us as we make an impact bigger than ourselves.
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