Principal Laser Engineer

Date Posted : 2025-10-28

Country :

United States of America

Location :

TX190 : 2501 West University, McKinney 2501 West University , McKinney, TX, 75070 USA

Position Role Type : Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements :

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required.​ U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance :

DoD Clearance : Secret

Principal Optical Engineer

The Optics and Lasers Technology Development (OLTD) department at Raytheon supports our customers’ missions by providing advanced Electro-Optical / Infrared (EO / IR) and Laser products and solutions. Our organization helps drive the success of Raytheon’s programs across all phases of the product lifecycle, from initial concept through design, development, integration, production and sell-off. By joining the OLTD Engineering team, you will have the opportunity to design, test, and deliver product capabilities for precision EO / IR and High Energy Laser systems which provide situational awareness and a tactical advantage for our customers.

The qualified Principal Optical Engineer will be responsible for applying their knowledge and experience in optics and lasers to support the hardware design and development, analysis, integration and testing of advanced imaging telescopes, spectrometers, high energy lasers, LADARs and special test equipment. The ideal candidate will be capable of performing critical opto-mechanical alignments, assisting with optical design tasks such as modeling, simulation and tolerancing, assembling optical and laser diagnostic test equipment, testing and troubleshooting laser and optical assemblies, and supporting product tests and demonstrations.

Explore our opportunities today and join us!

Required Skills

A demonstrated knowledge of optics, lasers, electromagnetic propagation, laser and optical materials and effects

Proficiency with optical alignment techniques and alignment tooling

Experience with optical component inspection, cleaning and bonding

Experience with data reduction and analysis, including error analysis

Broad understanding of optics and lasers vendor capabilities and experience interfacing with suppliers

Ability to lead small technical teams, delegate work, and review the work of team members

Ability to manage small to moderately sized projects including planning, scheduling tasks, documenting results, and communicating progress and results to internal and external stakeholders

Strong interpersonal and multi-tasking skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Familiarity with the processes and principals of systems engineering

The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance.

Must be able to work Full-Time Onsite at our McKinney, TX location

Desired Skills

Experience with Zemax, Code V, and FRED

Proficiency with laser characterization tests such as beam quality, wavefront-error, and laser noise measurements

Experience with mechanical design processes

Experience with 3D Hardware modeling

Experience with high power lasers

Experience handling and splicing optical fibers

Experience with imaging optical systems

Experience with EO / IR system development

Existing security clearance

Required Education and Experience :

The qualified candidate will have either :

Associate of Science (AS) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in an Engineering, Science, or other related field with 10 or more years of on-the-job experience related to optical or laser technologies, OR

Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering, Science, or other related field with 8 or more years of on-the-job experience related to optical or laser technologies, OR

MS / MA degree with a major in Engineering, Science, or other related field with 5 or more years of on-the-job experience related to optical or laser technologies, OR

Ph.D. degree in Engineering or Science with an emphasis on optical or laser technologies and 3 or more years of on-the-job experience related to optical or laser technologies

RTX Corporation is an Aerospace and Defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 185,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, VA.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 101,000 USD - 203,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education / training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and / or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and / or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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