Associate – Optical Engineer

Job Title: Associate, Optical Engineer 

Job ID: 43170

Job Location: Palm Bay, FL OR Herndon, VA

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days – totaling 80 hours worked, and have every other Friday off    

Job Description:

Help develop optical and photonic technologies for sensing, communications, and information processing in an entry-level role with our Photonics Engineering department. With guidance from experienced engineers and scientists, you will support design, modeling, laboratory measurements, prototype testing, and product engineering, with assignments shaped by your background and program needs. You will compare measurements with models or specifications and document results to support design decisions and development milestones. Preparation may come from coursework, laboratory classes, academic projects, undergraduate research, or internships; prior industry experience is not required.

Essential Functions:

• Support the design, analysis, assembly, integration, and testing of optical, photonic, and optomechanical components and systems.
• Apply physics and engineering fundamentals to evaluate technical concepts, investigate problems, and recommend improvements.
• Use analysis, modeling, simulation, or computer-aided design tools appropriate to assigned work to support design decisions.
• Conduct assigned optical and photonic laboratory measurements and experiments using established procedures and guidance from experienced engineers.
• Collect and analyze data, assess measurement quality, and compare results with models, specifications, or expected behavior.
• Document methods and results; prepare technical reports and present findings during team discussions and design reviews.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to complete assigned tasks and support development milestones under engineer guidance. Take responsibility for careful execution and documentation while building proficiency in your technical area and learning how the work fits into broader sensing, communications, and information-processing systems.

• Must be a U.S. person and have the ability to obtain and maintain a TS clearance with SCI eligibility.

Qualifications:

• To be eligible, applicants must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, with degree completion by the employment start date; or have completed their Bachelor’s degree within the last 12 months, regardless of age.

Preferred Additional Skills:

Optional technical experience or familiarity in one or more of the areas below may come from coursework, laboratory classes, academic projects, research, internships, co-ops, direct industry experience, or other applied engineering or research experience:

• Foundational knowledge of mathematics and physics or engineering principles relevant to the applicant’s field of study, including optics, photonics, quantum physics, electromagnetics, electronics, mechanical design, or materials. Related work may include quantum sensing, communications, or information-processing technology modeling, development, or testing; or atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics, including trapped-ion, neutral-atom, Rydberg electric field sensing, or entanglement-enabled systems. Laser systems, optical alignment, imaging, modulation, or pulse control.
• Optical, electronic, radio-frequency (RF), timing, data-acquisition, or other laboratory instrumentation and measurement techniques, including precision measurement, uncertainty analysis, and interpretation of observed system behavior. Python, MATLAB, or comparable tools for calculations, modeling, data analysis, or laboratory automation. Scientific software for quantum-system modeling, laboratory automation, or data acquisition; validation against experimental observations or analytical benchmarks; documentation and presentation of measurement methods, results, and uncertainty with a technical team.
• Computer-aided design, engineering simulation, prototype fabrication, assembly, or testing. Capstone projects or team activities involving device or system design, construction, evaluation, and documentation. Silicon, silicon nitride, indium phosphide, or thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic integrated circuits (PICs), photonic packaging, or electronic-photonic co-integration.
• Waveguide acousto-optic modulators or deflectors, surface acoustic-wave (SAW) and bulk acoustic-wave (BAW) transducers, RF-drive integration, or acousto-optic mode conversion. Programmable RF/microwave photonic circuits, tunable or true-time delay, filtering, frequency conversion, or low-phase-noise photonic sources.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with Poly.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $75,500.00- $140,500.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including relocation stipend, 401(k), EAP, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.