Skip to main content
collage of photos featuring a rocket, a plane, and a submarine

Bring your ideas
to life

Search

Find U.S. Contract Jobs

Optical Systems Engineer (mid-career) - Millennium Space Systems

El Segundo, California Job ID JR2026497473 Category Engineering - Electronic and Electrical Role Type Onsite Post Date Mar. 09, 2026 Security Clearance Required
Apply Now

Job Description

At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.

Millennium Space Systems, a part of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), is a fast, agile small satellite company focused on national security space. Our missions have direct impacttoglobal security, like missile warning and Earth observation. 

Our team is curious,boldand innovative. We take risks, innovate and explore new techniques and technologies. We influence change because we challenge the status quo. And when we watch our satellites launch, we know each one of us made it happen.

Job Summary

The Optics Team are the subject matter experts relating to all optical systems at Millennium and spanning systems engineering, modeling and simulation, and hardware design/test. They support mission engineering related to the use of optical communications terminals (OCT), optical payloads, star trackers, laser range finders (LRF), etc. They are systems engineers managing critical interfaces to optical systems. Members of the team model mission phenomenology and detection performance of EO/IR and optical communications payloads considering the spectral, spatial, and radiometric attributes of the sensor, as well as support development of mission data processing algorithms. In addition to analysis, the team designs and develops optical hardware, including star trackers and sensor packages that support autonomous navigation and docking maneuvers. They work closely with manufacturing, providing optical ground support equipment (GSE), software tools, and test support.

Millennium is seeking an Optical Systems Engineer with a strong background in spaceborne laser technology. You will oversee all space laser applications on our programs, ensuring system specifications meet mission needs. You will own mission performance requirements for optical communication terminals, laser rangefinders, LIDAR systems, etc. You will be the primary interface between the optical hardware, space vehicle team, and mission data processing team, managing interfaces between these elements. Successful Optical Systems Engineers have experience with modeling, simulation, analysis, and calibration of optical hardware.

This position's internal job code is Electrophysics Engr/Scientist. Our team is currently hiring for a Level 3-4.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Develop and validate mission and unit level requirements for spaceborne laser technology

  • Design and implement modeling and simulation of laser systems

  • Develop and execute unit and system level tests on the ground and on-orbit to verify performance

  • Manage supplier and partner performance 

  • Manage complex projects by coordinating work statements, setting and tracking budget/schedule, and measuring technical performance 

  • Support large-scale new business proposals

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • Level 3: Bachelor's Degree in engineering, physical sciences or computer science and 5 or more years' related work experience; master's degree and 3 or more years' of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of technical education

  • Level 4: Bachelor's Degree in engineering, physical sciences or computer science and 9 or more years' related work experience; master's degree and 7 or more years' of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of technical education

  • Experience with space-to-space and/or space-to-ground laser communication 

  • Experience with performance/phenomenology/modeling of space-based laser systems, including rangefinders and LIDAR systems

  • Ability to train and mentor other members of the team

  • This position requires the ability to obtain a US Security Clearance for which the US GovernmentrequiresUS Citizenship.Aninterim and/or final U.S. secret clearance Post Start isrequired 

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • 10+ years of industry experience working with satellite optical instrumentation, design, and/or operation.

  • On-orbit experience in the operation and performance validation of spaceborne laser systems

  • Ability to develop and maintain a laser link budget

  • Experience with design, integration, qualification, and test of space-based laser systems, including rangefinders and LIDAR systems

  • Deep understanding of the state-of-the-art in terms of space-based laser systems

  • Broad understanding of different laser physics (e.g. fiber laser, semiconductor laser, diode pumped solid state laser, distributed feed back laser, CW vs pulsed laser, visible to SWIR wavelength, etc), their operating principles, their constructions, and/or applications to OCT, LRF, LIDAR.

  • Perform analysis of alternatives

  • Active TS/SCI clearance

Conflict of Interest:

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process

Drug Free Workplace:

Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids,amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteriaismet as outlined in our policies.

Total Rewards:

AtMillennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company,we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract,engageandretainthe top talent.  Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  

Millennium Space Systemsalso provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.  

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements. 

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. 

Summary pay range:

Level 3: $99,000 - $177,000

Level 4: $121,000 - $215,000

Millennium is DDTC-registered, ITAR-compliant Company. This position islocatedat a facility that requiresspecial access. Applicants MUST be U.S. citizens and eligible for a security clearance. Additionally, applicants must be willing to apply for andmaintaina security clearance. We encourage all interested candidates to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified.


Applications for this position will be accepted until May. 31, 2026


Export Control Requirements:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Export Control Details:

US based job, US Person required

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required

Relocation

Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position.

Security Clearance

This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. An interim and/or final U.S. Top Secret/SCI Clearance Post-Start is required.

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Shift

This position is for 1st shift


Equal Opportunity Employer:

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

Shows the full job description for sighted users
Apply Now

Your Benefits

No matter where you are in life, our benefits help prepare you for the present and the future.

  • Generous company match to your 401(k).
  • Industry-leading tuition assistance program pays your institution directly.
  • Fertility, adoption, and surrogacy benefits.
  • Up to $10,000 gift match when you support your favorite nonprofit organizations.
Explore more benefits

These programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other conditions, which may differ for employees of certain subsidiaries or business units, or union-represented employees depending on bargaining agreement terms. If this information conflicts with the program documents, the latter shall control. This material is informational only.

  • Jacob M
    We never stop growing

    Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge or grow as a leader, our development programs are designed to help you succeed.

    Learn more

Jobs for You:

No recently viewed jobs.

View all of our available opportunities

No saved jobs.

View all of our available opportunities

Connect with us

Sign up for Job Alerts

Be the first to know when new jobs are posted.

Sign up for Job Alerts

Join our Talent Community

Get updates about Boeing job opportunities, events and career information.

Sign up for our Talent Community

Veteran Talent Community

Transition to a career in engineering, product support, IT, manufacturing or other areas.

Sign up for our Veteran Talent Community