Senior Principal Engineer-Sensor and Optical Systems

Posted Yesterday
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Westminster, CO, USA
Hybrid
133K-226K Annually
Senior level
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Where purpose connects.
The Role
Leads sensor, optical systems, materials science, and nonlinear optics efforts across R&D and production programs. Responsibilities include GmAPD detector calibration and testing, optical coating and radiation-hardening development, sensor concept development, materials analysis, prototyping, technical roadmaps, proposal support, customer interaction, and technical leadership. The role requires collaboration across engineering and business organizations and work in office, laboratory, production, and cleanroom environments.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Description
BAE Systems seeks a leader with a broad technical background. The ideal candidate is an optical and material science SME with experience in nonlinear and small form factor optics. Extensive experience with GmAPD detector calibration and testing is critical. The engineer will support optical and radiation hardening for programs of record and IRADs and support sensor concept development for RFI and Proposals. If you're a seasoned expert in these areas with a passion for deeply technical work and driving technical innovation, we encourage you to apply.
The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers' missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.
What You'll Do:
  • Become a sensor, coating, and optical Systems Engineering SME to support IRADS and CRADs across our Sensor product lines and programs of record.
  • Perform as a materials science SME for our Lambda program: materials specifications, analyses, and performance assessments.
  • Support our Nonlinear Optics IR&Ds: (Polychrome and Polymorph).
  • Support our Small Form Factor IR&D.
  • Support GmAPD improvements: detector calibration, yield, testing, optical and radiation hardening for programs of record (Zeus, Nemesis, Helios) and IRADs (Ignite).
  • Support sensor concept development for RFI responses and proposals.
  • Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
  • Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
Working Conditions:
  • Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
  • May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
  • May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills
  • BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 8 or more years related experience.
  • Each higher-level related degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of related experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
  • Nonlinear Optics Background.
  • Optical Material expertise in design, development, prototyping and testing.
  • Expertise in optical sensor testing and calibration.
  • Optical coating experience.
  • Experience with Python or other programming and modeling languages.
  • Experience working with DoW and/or IC technical support contractors and program technical representatives.
  • Experience with rapid prototyping and/or hardware demonstrations.
  • Experience with scoping and executing production programs and/or IRAD programs.
  • Experience operating within classified program environments.
  • Customer interfacing and proposal development.
  • Superb presenter with documented presentation experience to grow new business opportunities.
  • Excellent written communication and technology evaluation skills.
  • Demonstrated excellent leadership and interpersonal skills in relevant technical environments.
#LI-GJ1
A security clearance or access with Polygraph is not required to be eligible for this position. However, the applicant must be willing and eligible for submission, depending on program requirements, after an offer is accepted and must be able to maintain the applicable clearance/access.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
  • MS or PhD in Engineering, Math, Physics, or a related field.
  • Technical leadership experience, including R&D program and technical roadmap ownership, statement of work (SOW) and milestone planning, and strategic partner and vendor management.
  • Electro-optical materials and devices background.
  • Experiment design and data reduction, processing, and visualization.
  • Familiarity with materials processes with regards to sensors and coatings.

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.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, Space & Mission Systems is a leading provider of national defense and civil space applications, advanced remote sensing, scientific and tactical systems for government and commercial customers. We continually pioneer ways to innovate spacecraft, mission payloads, optical systems, and other defense and civil capabilities. Powered by endlessly curious people with an unwavering mission focus, we continually discover ways to enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Multiple positions may be available on this opening.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent technical experience
  • Eight or more years of related experience, with applicable graduate degrees substituting for experience
  • Background in nonlinear optics
  • Optical materials expertise in design, development, prototyping, and testing
  • Expertise in optical sensor testing and calibration
  • Optical coating experience
  • Experience with Python or other programming and modeling languages
  • Experience working with Department of War and/or Intelligence Community technical support contractors and program technical representatives
  • Experience with rapid prototyping and/or hardware demonstrations
  • Experience scoping and executing production or IRAD programs
  • Experience operating within classified program environments
  • Customer interfacing and proposal development experience
  • Documented presentation experience supporting new business opportunities
  • Excellent written communication and technology evaluation skills
  • Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills in technical environments
  • Master’s or PhD in engineering, mathematics, physics, or a related field
  • Technical leadership involving R&D programs, technical roadmaps, SOWs, milestone planning, strategic partners, and vendors
  • Electro-optical materials and devices background
  • Experiment design and data reduction, processing, and visualization experience
  • Familiarity with materials processes related to sensors and coatings

What the Team is Saying

BAE Systems, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights

  • Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is broad with medical, dental, and vision options, plus mental health and EAP resources, and U.S. eligibility that can begin quickly. Materials also reference wellbeing programs designed to support employees and their families.
  • Retirement Support — Retirement offerings include a U.S. 401(k) savings plan with company match information highlighted in benefits summaries. Global materials also reference pension contributions in some regions, indicating solid long-term financial support.
  • Parental & Family Support — Programs include paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy assistance, and back-up child and elder care for U.S. employees. Family resources and caregiving support are emphasized across benefit materials.

BAE Systems, Inc. Insights

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The Company
HQ: Falls Church, VA
40,000 Employees
Year Founded: 1999

What We Do

Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do. As a leading aerospace, defense, and security company, we work together to deliver a full range of products and services for air, land, space, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. How we work is rooted in purpose – a purpose to protect those who protect us, to unite our community of colleagues and customers, and to drive forward the growth and development of our exceptional team members. It's where purpose connects.

Why Work With Us

We believe your career should be filled with innovation and discovery. And that's exactly what you'll find at BAE Systems. As you work to develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills and expand knowledge. On a sharp and collaborative team, you will be challenged – and supported – at every turn.

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BAE Systems, Inc. Teams

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About our Teams

BAE Systems, Inc. Offices

Hybrid Workspace

Employees engage in a combination of remote and on-site work.

As the work place continues to evolve, so do we. Remote and hybrid opportunities are available at BAE Systems depending on the nature of the role. Check your job requisition to learn more.

Typical time on-site: Not Specified
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HQBAE Systems, Inc. headquarters
Annapolis Junction, MD
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Austin, TX
Boulder, CO
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Space & Mission Systems headquarters
Burlington, MA
Cedar Rapids, IA
Dallas, TX
Endicott, NY
Fort Wayne, IN
Greenlawn, NY
Huntsville, AL
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Los Angeles, CA
Maple Grove, MN
Intelligence & Security headquarters
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Redmond, WA
San Diego, CA
San Jose, CA
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Sterling Heights, MI
Washington, DC
Wayne, NJ
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