2027 Principal Optical Engineer - Manhattan Beach CA
Quick Summary
Be completing or has completed their Doctorate (PhD) degree from an accredited institution Be majoring in or having majored in a STEM (Science, Technology,
Northrop Grumman is a space pioneer, supporting government, civil and commercial customers in solving their biggest challenges. Our forward-leaning, innovative spirit is backed by a legacy of expertise that began at the dawn of the space age. Our mission experience in space runs deep, we know our customers well, and our capabilities are unmatched. This is what allows us to provide reliable, agile and affordable space solutions to best serve our customers.
From defending freedom to advancing human discovery, we are defining what is possible in space every day.
Entry Level opportunities at Northrop Grumman are unique. Are you interested in boosting your knowledge through experience and exposure, while supporting a mission that seeks to protect our nation and its allies? If so, then Northrop Grumman is the place you!
Our professionals live and breathe different perspectives; we are curious about the world, accepting each other, and aware that the more ideas, backgrounds, opinions and experiences we bring to our work, the stronger that work will be. Just as you would invest your time and hard work into our company, we focus on investing back into you through enriching professional experiences and high-quality learning and development opportunities. We want you to bring your whole self to work, and for you to have meaningful connections with your coworkers, customers and communities, while providing the best products, systems and technologies to protect our world.
The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Lasers & Sensors department, within the Electronics & Payloads group. This team provides Optical Engineering to address the generation, transmission and receipt of optical signals and energy for EO / IR sensors, optical communications terminals, laser & beam control systems, photonics and other optical mission solutions..
Responsibilities
~1 min readDesigns, models, analyzes, and tests optical and electro-optical systems and components, including sensors, lasers, fiber-optics, and telecommunications products. Conducts research and development into phases of physical optics and geometric optics, lasers, laser characteristics, laser maintenance, and broadband optical sources. Applies research of complex optical systems to achieve desired optical manipulations. Develops component specifications, tolerances, simulations and tests procedures for electro-optical systems and components. Uses design-to-cost models, six sigma methodology, and other methods to assure optical design requirements met.
Requirements
~1 min read- Be completing or has completed their Doctorate (PhD) degree from an accredited institution
- Be majoring in or having majored in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) degree
- Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
- The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
- $125,300 - $187,900
Location & Eligibility
About this job
- Pay per year
- $125,300–$187,900 a year
- 134% above the $67,000 median for Other jobs on Jobera (144,788 salaries).
- Posted
- Today
Listing Details
- Posted
- November 13, 2026
- First seen
- November 13, 2026
- Last seen
- November 13, 2026
Posting Health
- Days active
- 0
- Repost count
- 0
- Trust Level
- 63%
- Scored at
- November 13, 2026
Signal breakdown
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