Full-Time

Optical Engineering Specialist

L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies

10,001+ employees

Defense technology solutions for national security

Compensation Overview

$97k - $180k/yr

+ 401(k) match

No H1B Sponsorship

Rochester, NY, USA

In Person

US Top Secret Clearance Required

Bachelor's, Master's

Category
Mechanical Engineering
Required Skills
MATLAB
Simulink
Mathematica

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Requirements
  • Ability to obtain a United States government security clearance.
  • A Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 6 years of prior relevant experience, or a Graduate Degree and a minimum of 4 years of prior related experience; in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 10 years of prior related experience.
  • Knowledge of mathematical analysis codes such as MATLAB, Mathematica, and Mathcad.
  • Understanding of infrared detectors, including well fill, non-uniformity correction, and signal-to-noise ratio.
  • Understanding of radiometry, including radiant intensity and noise-equivalent irradiance.
  • Ability to work with Modtran to model relevant environments.
  • Experience with systems testing of electro-optical/infrared products.
  • Ability to work with algorithm developers and understand how optical hardware and algorithms work together.
  • Knowledge of optical part fabrication processes.
  • Knowledge of stabilization, guidance, and control.
  • Optical integration and troubleshooting experience.
  • Experience engineering aerospace products.
  • Strong mechanical and geospatial comprehension skills.
  • Experience with system modeling using MATLAB/Simulink.
  • Ability to contribute technical solutions integrating multiple disciplines or technologies into system architectures that meet conflicting requirements.
  • Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills for multidisciplinary engineering teams and technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Ability to plan and organize projects, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
Responsibilities
  • Perform optical sensor system analysis and design, including development of optical sensor payloads for customer contracts and internal independent research and development programs.
  • Use tools and procedures for optical design, analysis, integration, and testing.
  • Provide optical engineering expertise to support manufacturing tasks and issues.
  • Document and control optical tools and procedures.
  • Develop and maintain technical connections with other optical systems groups and relevant industry and academic groups.
  • Prepare design specifications, analyses, and recommendations for presentation and approval through a formal review process.
  • Analyze, develop, and recommend design approaches to meet production requirements for new or improved products and processes.
  • Interface with mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers, providing engineering analysis and design from product inception through released fabrication drawings.
  • Support product development and proposals through conceptual layouts and cost estimation.
  • Complete documentation and bills of materials to support the life cycle of new or improved designs.
  • Support existing product designs through the production cycle by incorporating engineering change orders.
Desired Qualifications
  • Knowledge of mathematical analysis codes such as MATLAB, Mathematica, and Mathcad.
  • Understanding of infrared detectors, including well fill, non-uniformity correction, and signal-to-noise ratio.
  • Understanding of radiometry, including radiant intensity and noise-equivalent irradiance.
  • Ability to work with Modtran to model relevant environments.
  • Experience with systems testing of electro-optical/infrared products.
  • Ability to work with algorithm developers and understand how optical hardware and algorithms work together.
  • Knowledge of optical part fabrication processes.
  • Knowledge of stabilization, guidance, and control.
  • Optical integration and troubleshooting experience.
  • Experience engineering aerospace products.
  • Strong mechanical and geospatial comprehension skills.
  • Experience with system modeling using MATLAB/Simulink.
L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies

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L3Harris Technologies provides defense and national-security technology solutions across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. It develops integrated systems with advanced communications, surveillance, and reconnaissance to support government agencies and defense contractors under long-term contracts. The product combines hardware, software, and services to deliver secure, interoperable, mission-critical capabilities. Its goal is to help clients strengthen operational readiness and national security through reliable, multi-domain technologies and sustained partnerships.

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Melbourne, Florida

Founded

1895

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q2 2026 revenue reached $5.9 billion, with backlog climbing to a record $42 billion.
  • Management raised 2026 guidance to $23.2 billion-$23.7 billion after 7.3 billion orders.
  • Intuitive Machines will build 18 spacecraft for L3Harris's SDA Tranche 3 missile-tracking mission.

What critics are saying

  • Aug. 17, 2026 CEO ouster exposes governance weakness after misconduct review and abrupt board turnover.
  • U.S. government concentration is dangerous; 74% of year-to-date revenue came from federal customers.
  • Missile-production buildouts need years; any program slip, defect, or cancellation hits backlog conversion hard.

What makes L3Harris Technologies unique

  • L3Harris spans missile propulsion, secure communications, and space payloads across all warfighting domains.
  • Aug. 2026 Roman telescope launch showcases decade-long NASA integration and radiation-hardened optical systems.
  • July 27, 2026 PAC-3 agreement and THAAD expansion lock L3Harris into critical interceptor supply.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Disability Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Mental Health Support

Relocation Assistance

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

14%

1 year growth

14%

2 year growth

14%
Business Wire
Aug 30th, 2026
L3Harris tech powers NASA's Roman Space Telescope to map universe 1,000 times faster than Hubble

L3Harris Technologies has provided key components for NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, which recently launched successfully. The company supplied the 2.4-metre Optical Telescope Assembly and radiation-hardened electronics for the observatory, which will operate approximately 1 million miles from Earth. The telescope is designed to survey the cosmos 1,000 times faster than the Hubble Space Telescope. Once operational, it will conduct three primary surveys, including scanning roughly 12% of the entire sky in under 18 months to measure the universe's expansion rate and study supernova explosions from up to 8 billion years ago. The project represents more than a decade of collaboration between L3Harris and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. L3Harris has previously contributed technology to missions including the James Webb Space Telescope and Mars rovers.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 22nd, 2026
L3Harris taps Intuitive Machines to build 18 spacecraft for $1.8B missile defence mission

L3Harris Technologies selected Intuitive Machines on 4 August to build 18 advanced spacecraft platforms for the Space Development Agency's Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 mission. Intuitive Machines will manufacture and deliver the satellite platforms to host L3Harris' payload technology for national security space operations. L3Harris reported Q2 2026 revenue of $5.9 billion, an 8% year-over-year increase, with net income of $600 million. The company raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $23.2 billion–$23.7 billion, backed by a $42.0 billion backlog. Intuitive Machines reported Q2 2026 revenue of $206 million, more than four times its prior-year level. However, the company posted an operating loss of $47 million and burned $84 million in cash during the quarter, leaving $367 million in cash. Its backlog expanded to a record $1.8 billion.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 18th, 2026
L3 Harris CEO ousted amid misconduct allegations, echoing 2012 Lockheed Martin exit

Christopher Kubasik has been ousted as CEO of L3 Harris following allegations of misconduct. According to Semafor, citing sources familiar with the matter, an investigation found he was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. This marks the second time Kubasik has been forced out of a leadership position under similar circumstances. In 2012, he was set to become CEO of Lockheed Martin but resigned after an ethics investigation confirmed he had a close personal relationship with a subordinate employee. L3 Harris, headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, announced Kubasik's departure on 17 August. The company said the misconduct was unrelated to financial reporting, controls, customer relationships or operational performance. Kubasik will retain some vested stock options but won't receive severance payments.

Yahoo Finance
Aug 17th, 2026
L3Harris CEO steps down after conduct review, shares fall 2.7%

L3Harris Technologies announced the immediate departure of CEO Christopher Kubasik following a conduct review, causing shares to fall roughly 2.7% in premarket trading Monday. The board appointed Sam Mehta as president and CEO, whilst Lewis Hay III became independent chairman. The company stated Kubasik's conduct was inconsistent with its Code of Conduct, though unrelated to financial reporting, controls, customer relationships, or operational performance. Following an investigation with independent counsel, the board entered into a separation agreement with Kubasik. Mehta joined L3Harris in 2023 and brings over 25 years of aerospace and defence leadership experience. He previously led segments comprising more than 80% of the company's total revenue. Despite the leadership change, L3Harris reaffirmed its 2026 consolidated revenue and financial guidance.

Associated Press
Aug 10th, 2026
L3Harris completes hot-fire test of stage two rocket motor for Next Generation Interceptor program

L3Harris Technologies has successfully completed a hot-fire test of its stage two advanced large solid rocket motor for the Missile Defense Agency's Next Generation Interceptor programme. The company conducted the test as part of the Lockheed Martin team developing the homeland missile defense system. The test validated the system's design integrity, with the motor completing a full-duration burn in a simulated high-altitude, vacuum environment. Engineers evaluated performance in conditions mimicking Earth's upper atmosphere. L3Harris serves as the primary propulsion and control systems provider for NGI, producing both stage one and stage two rocket motors, plus the Attitude Control System and Divert and Attitude Control System. The company manufactures components across facilities in California, Virginia, Alabama, and Arkansas.