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Optical Systems Engineer (Early-Career) - Millennium Space Systems

Los Angeles, California; El Segundo, California Job ID JR2026489977 Category Engineering - Electronic and Electrical Role Type Onsite Post Date Jan. 02, 2026 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.

Optical Systems Engineer (Early-Career) – Millennium Space Systems

Millennium Space Systems (MSS), a part of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) is seeking a Optical Systems Engineer (Early-Career) to support the Engineering team in El Segundo, CA!

Job Summary

The Optical Engineering Team provides all optical systems engineering services to Millennium's direct programs, studies, proposals, and Internal Research & Development (IRAD) efforts. They are systems engineers managing interfaces between the space vehicle and Electro-Optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) payloads and also Optical Communications Terminals (OCTs). The team models mission phenomenology and detection performance of EO/IR and OCT considering the spectral, spatial, and radiometric attributes of the sensor. They also design and develop optical hardware, including star trackers and sensor suites that support autonomous navigation and docking maneuvers. They determine what on-orbit and ground image processing algorithms should be implemented to support mission requirements. They work closely with mission and systems engineering teams, as well as manufacturing and testing teams to lead payload systems efforts end-to-end.

An Early Career Optical Systems Engineer possesses a background in optical engineering and physics, and preferably spaceborne electro-optical sensor technology (visible to infrared). You will perform optical lab testing to support sensor development for flight missions. You will help define mission performance requirements and model optical system performance for active and passive sensors. You will support the interface between the optical payload, space vehicle team, and mission data processing team. Successful Optical Systems Engineers have experience with modeling, simulation, analysis, calibration, and optical lab testing.

This position's internal job code is Electrophysics Engr/Scientist. Our team is currently hiring for Levels 1-2.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Develop and execute unit and system level optical tests to verify performance

  • Design and implement system/payload performance modeling and simulation

  • Support trade studies and other forms of analysis to predict system performance

  • Support supplier and partner performance 

  • Support internal optical product development

  • Support development and validation of mission and unit level requirements for electro-optical (EO) sensors, associated image processing, and space vehicle interfaces

  • Other duties as assigned

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

Security Clearance and Export Control Requirements

This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required. “US Person” includes US Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

  • Bachelor's Degree in engineering or the physical sciences

  • Methodical design, testing, and troubleshooting capabilities

  • Must be versatile and able to perform and manage multiple tasks concurrently 

  • Good communication and presentation skills 

  • 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 Clearance Post-Start is required. 

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

  • Advanced degree in optical engineering, physics, or other relevant engineering discipline

  • 2+ experience working with space-related optical instrumentation.

  • 2+ years experience in satellite design and/or operation

  • Experience with mission requirements flow down to low level EO requirements

  • Experience with performance/phenomenology of EO sensors

  • Experience with modeling and simulation of EO sensors

  • Experience in modeling and simulation of satellite systems

  • Experience with optical end-to-end testing

  • Familiarity with the design, development, and qualification of optical hardware

  • Experience with optical hardware such as EO/IR payloads, optical communications terminals, star trackers, laser range finders, etc.

  • Experience with onboard and ground processing of optical data to extract mission-related information

  • Experience managing subcontractors providing optical hardware

  • Experience developing rapid design and models to support proposal efforts

  • 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 criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Shift:

  • This role will be on 1st

Total Rewards:

At Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, 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.  

Millennium Space Systems 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.

  • Level 1: $70,550 - $103,750

  • Level 2: $85,850- $126,250


Applications for this position will be accepted until Feb. 09, 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 U.S. Secret Clearance Pre-Start and final U.S. Secret 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.

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