{"id":3485124,"url":"https://alion.io/job/boeing-optical-systems-engineer-senior-principal-millennium-space-systems","title":"Optical Systems Engineer (Senior, Principal) - Millennium Space Systems","company":{"id":3471,"name":"Boeing","domain":"boeing.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/boeing","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":100,"open_postings":82,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.098,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":15,"computed_at":"2026-11-02T06:13:15Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"lead","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["El Segundo, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":146800,"max":208000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":208000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":14,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Autonomous Navigation","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-29T21:31:23Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-29","last_verified_at":"2026-11-02T22:10:05Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":4,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":4},"description":"Optical Systems Engineer (Senior, Principal) - Millennium Space SystemsCompany:\nMillennium Space SystemsMillennium Space Systems, a part of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), is a fast, agile small satellite company focused on national security space. Our missions have direct impact to global security, like missile warning and Earth observation.\nOur team is curious, bold and innovative. We take risks, innovate and explore new techniques and technologies. We influence change because we challenge the status quo. And when we watch our satellites launch, we know each one of us made it happen.\nThe Optical Engineering Team provides all optical systems engineering services to Millennium's direct programs, studies, proposals, and Internal Research & Development (IRAD) efforts. They are systems engineers managing interfaces between the space vehicle and Electro-Optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) payloads and laser system/laser communication payloads. The team models mission phenomenology and detection performance of EO/IR and active sensors considering the spectral, spatial, and radiometric attributes of the sensor. They design and develop optical hardware, including star trackers and sensor suites that support autonomous navigation and docking maneuvers. They determine what on-orbit and ground image processing algorithms should be implemented to support mission requirements. They work closely with mission and systems engineering teams, as well as manufacturing and testing teams to lead payload systems efforts end-to-end.\nAn Optical Systems Engineer possesses a strong background in spaceborne electro-optical sensor technology (visible to infrared; active and passive). You will oversee optical systems on our programs, ensuring system specifications meet mission needs. You will own mission performance requirements for remote sensing missions and or space-to-space missions, and model mission phenomenology and detection performance. You will be the primary interface between the optical payload, space vehicle team, and mission data processing team, managing interfaces between these elements. Successful Optical Systems Engineers have experience with modeling, simulation, analysis, and calibration of optical hardware.\nThis position's internal job code is Electrophysics Engr/Scientist. Our team is currently hiring for a Level 5-6.\nResponsibilities\nDevelop and validate mission and unit level requirements for Electro-optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) sensors, Laser systems (Laser rangefinders and Optical Communications Terminals), and space vehicle interfaces\nDesign and implement modeling and simulation of optical systems\nDevelop and execute unit and system level tests on the ground and on-orbit to verify performance\nManage supplier and partner performance \nManage complex projects by coordinating work statements, setting and tracking budget/schedule, and measuring technical performance \nSupport large-scale new business proposals\nBasic Qualifications\nBachelor's Degree\n14+ years industry experience in optical engineering (advanced degrees may supplement years of experience)\nExperience with performance/phenomenology/modeling of space-based EO sensors (3 years)\nThis position requires the ability to obtain a US Security Clearance for which the US Government requires US Citizenship. An interim and/or final U.S. secret clearance Post Start is required \nPreferred Qualifications\nExperience with space-to-space and/or space-to-ground laser communication (3 years)\nAbility to train and mentor other members of the team (5 years)\n20+ industry experience working with satellite optical instrumentation, design, and/or operation.\nOn-orbit experience in the operation and performance validation of OCTs\nAbility to develop and maintain an OCT link budget\nExperience with design, integration, qualification, and test of satellite optical hardware such as EO/IR payloads, star trackers, laser range finders, etc.\nExperience with onboard and ground processing of optical data to extract mission-related information\nActive TS/SCI clearance\nConflict of Interest:\nSuccessful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process\nDrug Free Workplace:\nMillennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.\nTotal Rewards:\nAt Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.\nMillennium Space Systems also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.\nThe specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.\nPay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.\nSummary Pay Range:\nLevel 5: $146,800 - $208,000\nLevel 6: $174,000 - $248,000\nMillennium is DDTC-registered, ITAR-compliant Company. This position is located at a facility that requires special access. Applicants MUST be U.S. citizens and eligible for a security clearance. Additionally, applicants must be willing to apply for and maintain a security clearance. We encourage all interested candidates to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified.\nCategory = Engineering\nLanguage Requirements:\nNot ApplicableEducation:\nBachelor's Degree or EquivalentRelocation:\nRelocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position.Export Control Requirement:\nThis position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.Safety Sensitive:\nThis is not a Safety Sensitive Position.Security Clearance:\nThis position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. An interim and/or final U.S. Secret Clearance Post-Start is required.Visa Sponsorship:\nEmployer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.Contingent Upon Award Program\nThis position is not contingent upon program awardShift:\nShift 1 (United States of America)Stay safe from recruitment fraud! The only way to apply for a position at Boeing is via our Careers website. Learn how to protect yourself from recruitment fraud - Recruitment Fraud Warning\nBoeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.\nEEO is the law\nBoeing EEO Policy\nRequest an Accommodation\nApplicant Privacy\nBoeing Participates in E - Verify\n E-Verify (English)\n E-Verify (Spanish)\nRight to Work Statement\n Right to Work (English)\n Right to Work (Spanish)","description_format":"text","description_chars":7556,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":14,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Health insurance","Relocation assistance","Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":true,"industries":["Aerospace Manufacturing","Combat Aircraft","Aircraft Manufacturing"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-29T21:31:23Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":99,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.993,"p_room":1,"age_days":3,"expected_fill_days":15,"reasons":["conf:10","urgency","velocity","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-11-02T06:13:15Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":208000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/boeing-optical-systems-engineer-senior-principal-millennium-space-systems","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/boeing-optical-systems-engineer-senior-principal-millennium-space-systems.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-03T02:53:11Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":3861,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-04T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":3471},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=3471"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fboeing-optical-systems-engineer-senior-principal-millennium-space-systems"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fboeing-optical-systems-engineer-senior-principal-millennium-space-systems"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fboeing-optical-systems-engineer-senior-principal-millennium-space-systems"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/boeing-optical-systems-engineer-senior-principal-millennium-space-systems\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fboeing-optical-systems-engineer-senior-principal-millennium-space-systems"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3485124}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"boeing.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3485124},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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