Advanced Optics Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 5, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 30, 2026. General Dynamics Mission Systems scores A on the Alion truth index.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.
Responsibilities for this Position
Put your engineering talent to the ultimate test. At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we create the technologies, products and services that help our service members, intelligence analysts and first responders keep our nation safe. The work we do is so advanced, our teams often redefine what’s possible for the world. If you want to be a leader with the company that delivers smart solutions for our nation’s challenges, this is your opportunity. We apply advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, AR/VR, Cloud Native and Quantum Physics to solve our customers’ missions in cyber, RF, undersea, interstellar and everything in between.Utilizing your arsenal of skills and talents, you’ll design, develop, build and test systems and products based on optic, photonic and laser technologies. As an Advanced Optics Engineer, you’ll interact with device, hardware and software design teams to assist in overall development of optical systems; specifying, selecting and qualifying active and passive optical components, developing and benchmarking system performance models, developing and implementing test procedures and/or evaluating and selecting appropriate test instrumentation. You’ll have a substantial contribution to electrical and optical requirements analysis, requirements definition, requirements management, functional analysis, performance analysis (e.g. optical loss, timing, power, etc.), design, integration and verification of electrical components, equipment and systems. We’ll rely on you to apply a good understanding of the organizationally defined optical processes used throughout the lifecycle of the program or project.
What you’ll experience:
- Technologies that aren’t just top-notch, they’re often top-secret
- A team of bold thinkers committed to exploring what’s next
- Opportunities to gain new knowledge - as it’s discovered
What you bring to the table:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, a related specialized area or field (or equivalent experience) plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
- Solid use and understanding of electro-optical engineering concepts, principles, and theories
- Proficient in the principles and techniques of Optical Engineering including optical telecommunications
- Skilled in communicating issues, impacts, and corrective actions
What sets you apart:
- Experience with optical modeling software’s like VPI Photonics and Synopsys OptSim.
- Ability to travel internationally for equipment setup and repair.
- Experience with characterization of optical components, including amplifiers, transmitters, and receivers.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Ability to advise design teams on manufacturing best practices with CCAs and optical fiber management.
- Experience with the design, build, and characterization of optical test platforms.
Salary Note
This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.Combined Salary Range
USD $122,785.00 - USD $136,215.00 /Yr.Company Overview
General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!
Equal Opportunity Employer / Individuals with Disabilities / Protected Veterans