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Optical Communications Systems Engineer

Los Angeles, California; El Segundo, California Job ID JR2025466711 Category Security Clearance Role Type Onsite Post Date Aug. 22, 2025 Security Clearance Required
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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.

Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), Space Mission Systems (SMS) Division, seek Optical Communications Systems Engineer (Level 4, 5, or 6) to join our team in El Segundo, California. As an Optical Communications Systems Engineer you will define, evaluate, and deliver state-of-the-art laser communication systems for space-based applications for Commercial, Civil, Milsatcom, and/or National Security programs crosslinks and space-to-ground links. Project assignments typically span the complete program life cycle, from internal trades, concept studies and system definition, to development, launch, and on-orbit operations and test. Candidates will belong to a systems engineering team interacting with customers, suppliers, program management, integration and test engineers, and senior technologists.

Our team works with Commercial, Government, and Proprietary Customers in the development and deployment of next-generation technologies and systems in Space. The candidate will demonstrate the ability to provide high impact, creative solutions to complex technical problems, the ability to work as part of a large team, and the ability to provide critical support and independent review of the work of teammates.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Define, integrate, and test a variety of electrical and electronic systems in support of Electro-optical and laser communications systems.

  • Develops and validates requirements for unique electro-optical, sensor, laser and other electromagnetic systems and components.

  • Develops and validates electro-optical requirements for electrical\electronic systems, mechanical systems, and interfaces.

  • Performs trade studies, modeling, simulation and other forms of analysis to predict performance and to optimize design around complex requirements.

  • Interface with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

  • Support checkout and test of prototype electronics including the ability to debug and troubleshoot electrical and electronics designs.

This position is expected to be 100% onsite.  The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at the listed location.

This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret or SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering or physics

  • Level 4: typically 9 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications.

  • Level 5: typically 14 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications.

  • Level 6: typically 20 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications.

Preferred (Desired) Qualifications:

  • Experience in one or more (preferred) of these discipline areas:

  • Free space optical communications SE (experience in specifying, modeling and analyzing coherent and direct detection lasercom and pointing, acquisition and tracking (PAT) links)

  • Line of sight stabilization and control SE (with experience in modeling and analyzing PAT for laser communication links and PAT receiver analysis/modeling)

  • Optical SE (optical engineering with experience in specifying modeling and analyses of complex optical systems ideally for lasercom applications)

  • Electro-optics SE (EO engineering with experience in specifying, analyzing and modeling optical amplifiers, photonic integrated circuits, modulators)

  • Digital SE (Experience in digital networking and forward error correction in fading channel requirements)

  • Experience working on satellite or space-based systems

  • Systems engineering experience involving system requirements, functional decomposition and allocation, integrated design, analysis, and verification

  • Experience in customer requirements development, system requirements, and CONOPs development

  • Experience interfacing with customers and program office and across interdisciplinary teams in a rapid development environment

Relocation:

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility. Note: Basic relocation will be offered for eligible internal candidates.

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies. 

Shift:

This positionisfor 1st shift.

Pay & Benefits:

At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent.  Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. 

The Boeing Company also 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 4 : $ 128,350 – $ 173,650

Summary Pay Range, Level 5 : $ 157,250 – $ 212,750

Summary Pay Range, Level 6 : $ 186,150 – $ 251,850


Applications for this position will be accepted until Sept. 06, 2025


Export Control Requirements: This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Export Control Details: US based job, US Person required

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required

Relocation

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Security Clearance

This position requires a current Tier 5 (T5), formerly known as a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) (U.S. Citizenship required) or requires candidate agreed to enter a Continuous Evaluation program.

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.

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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.
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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.

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