Leads the design, development, integration, testing, and production support of opto-mechanical military systems for EO/IR products. Responsibilities include mechanical design and analysis, hardware engineering team leadership, packaging lasers, receivers, sensors, fiber optics, and gimbals, engineering documentation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and production support. The role requires CAD, FEA, GD&T, defense electronics experience, and eligibility for a Department of Defense security clearance.
Job Description
BAE Systems is currently looking for a talented Senior Principal Optical - Mechanical Engineer to join our EO/IR Capability Group. This group comprises a team of expert Optical, Electro-Optical, Opto-mechanical and Laser specialists dedicated to developing innovative hardware solutions that drive the success of our program portfolio.
BAE Systems is seeking a proactive Sr. Principal Optical - Mechanical Engineer with analytical capabilities and demonstrated technical expertise. This individual will provide leadership and support to the design, development, integration/test, and production of dynamic optomechanical military systems. The engineer will work closely with hardware integrated into a variety of complex IR technology products including lasers, receivers, sensors, as well as multi-axis beam directors/gimbals.
Hybrid: Onsite 3 days per week
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Requires:
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Preferred:
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $149603 - $254317
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
BAE Systems is currently looking for a talented Senior Principal Optical - Mechanical Engineer to join our EO/IR Capability Group. This group comprises a team of expert Optical, Electro-Optical, Opto-mechanical and Laser specialists dedicated to developing innovative hardware solutions that drive the success of our program portfolio.
BAE Systems is seeking a proactive Sr. Principal Optical - Mechanical Engineer with analytical capabilities and demonstrated technical expertise. This individual will provide leadership and support to the design, development, integration/test, and production of dynamic optomechanical military systems. The engineer will work closely with hardware integrated into a variety of complex IR technology products including lasers, receivers, sensors, as well as multi-axis beam directors/gimbals.
- Demonstrated experience in product development and support of DoD military electronics equipment
- Leadership of HW engineering teams in the design & development of military systems
- Working experience packaging with EO/IR products such as; lasers, receivers, fiber optics, and/or related IR technologies
- Solid fundamentals of mechanical design, analysis, and documentation principles
- Experience with state-of-the-art mechanical engineering development software tools
- Strong written and verbal communication skills including development of engineering documentation and presentations
- Motivated self-starter and problem solver with proven experience executing in multi-disciplinary teams
- Strong computer skills in basic MS office and technical programs
- Knowledge of engineering development processes
- Eligible to obtain a DOD Security Clearance
Hybrid: Onsite 3 days per week
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
Requires:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and 12+ years experience (10+ years with a masters degree)
- Demonstrated experience in product development and support of DoD military electronics equipment
- Leadership of HW engineering teams in the design & development of military systems
- Working experience with lasers, receivers, fiber optics, and/or related IR technologies
- Solid fundamentals of mechanical design, analysis, and documentation principles
- Experience with state-of-the-art mechanical engineering development software tools (CAD)
- Familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Familiarity with geometirc dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T)
- Strong written and verbal communication skills including development of engineering documentation and presentations
- Motivated self-starter and problem solver with proven experience executing in multi-disciplinary teams
- Strong computer skills in basic MS office and technical programs
- Knowledge of engineering development processes
- Eligible to obtain a DOD Security Clearance
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
Preferred:
- Knowledge/experience with optomechanical designs & developments
- Knowledge of MIL specs & standards, industry standards including ASTM, SAE, DO
- Experience in the design/development of active motion controlled hardware
- Experience in the design and manufacture of electronic circuit card assemblies
- ANSYS Workbench/Mechanical, PTC Creo, MATLAB/Simulink, Siemens NX, ANSYS Icepak
- Knowledge of design for manufacturing (DFM) principles
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $149603 - $254317
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.
Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
BAE Systems, Inc. Burlington, Massachusetts, USA Office
600 District Ave, Burlington, MA, United States, 01803
Similar Jobs at BAE Systems, Inc.
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Leads architecture, design, testing, verification, integration, and production transition for high-reliability digital circuit cards and modules. Responsibilities include FPGA and microprocessor circuit design, schematic and layout capture, signal integrity analysis, environmental testing, troubleshooting, documentation, defect resolution, customer and supplier coordination, and mentoring junior engineers.
Top Skills:
Ddr3Ddr4EthernetFiber OpticsFpgaHyperlynxMatlabMentor/Siemens XpeditionMicroprocessorsMil-Std-1553PciePwb Layout And RoutingSerdesSignal Integrity Analysis
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Leads cross-functional factory operations by coordinating program management, manufacturing, and supply chain teams. Oversees factory execution, material procurement, project execution planning, resource requirements, cost account management, and performance reporting across cost, schedule, and quality. Supports new business proposals and customer interfaces while providing leadership in a manufacturing environment.
Aerospace • Hardware • Information Technology • Security • Software • Cybersecurity • Defense
Designs complex electrical architectures, schematics, PCB layouts, and mixed-signal circuits for rugged commercial and military C4ISR products. Performs component trade studies, prototyping, verification testing, troubleshooting, and design documentation. Requires expertise in digital, analog, power, mixed-signal, VPX, SOSA, and high-speed PCB design, along with laboratory test equipment experience. Mentors team members and manages work within schedule and budget constraints.
Top Skills:
3U Vpx6U VpxArbitrary Waveform GeneratorsArinc 429Back DrillingBgaBlind ViasBuried ViasCadence Allegro System CaptureCcaCobControlled ImpedanceCpldDfnElectrical EngineeringEmbedded SoftwareEmi MitigationEthernetFpgaFrequency CountersFunction GeneratorsHdi PcbI2CLgaLogic AnalyzersLtspiceMicro-ViasMil-Std-1553OscilloscopesPcbPciePower IntegrityPspiceQfnQspiSignal IntegritySocSosaSpectrum AnalyzersSpiSpiceTinaUartUsbVector Network AnalyzersVerilogVhdlVia-In-Pad
What you need to know about the Boston Tech Scene
Boston is a powerhouse for technology innovation thanks to world-class research universities like MIT and Harvard and a robust pipeline of venture capital investment. Host to the first telephone call and one of the first general-purpose computers ever put into use, Boston is now a hub for biotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence — though it’s also home to several B2B software giants. So it’s no surprise that the city consistently ranks among the greatest startup ecosystems in the world.
Key Facts About Boston Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 269,000; 9.4% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toast, Klaviyo, HubSpot, DraftKings
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, software, aerospace
- Funding Landscape: $15.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Summit Partners, Volition Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, MassVentures, Highland Capital Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: MIT, Harvard University, Boston College, Tufts University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, National Bureau of Economic Research, Broad Institute, Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories
