Senior/Principal Optical Engineer
- Optics and Sensors Engineering, Onsite Sandia National Laboratories $117,500
- $235,700 401(k), relocation assistance United States, Mexico, Albuquerque 1515 Eubank Boulevard Southeast (Show on map) Apr 23, 2026 Apply for Job
Job ID
697651
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
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About Sandia Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas.
Some of the main reasons we love our jobs: Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
Extraordinary co-workers
Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance
- World-changing technologies.
Life-changing careers.
Learn more about Sandia at:
http://www.sandia.gov
- These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like We are seeking an Optical Engineer to provide advanced technical support with minimal direction in the development and realization of space based optical sensors. This support will focus on optical design, fabrication, and assembly; interpreting and translating opto-mechanical concepts into designs and fabricated hardware; documentation; and finished experimental systems. Other responsibilities may involve providing operations, testing, data acquisition/recording/interpretation and diagnostic support as required. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to contribute in the development of new techniques and processes, and in the improvement of existing ones to ensure the successful completion of a project. On any given day, you may be called on to: Develop conceptual and detail designs of optical hardware for optical system applications
Identify, analyze and provide solutions and alternate approaches to complex optical problems using individual creativity and judgment
Perform technical calculations and analyze cost effectiveness of design, schedule and materials
Use design, engineering and scientific programs on computer systems to produce supportive documentation
Independently design, fabricate and assemble complex optical hardware
Experience with optical raytracing software (e.g. Zemax, Code V, and/or OSLO)
Align with established ES&H regulations and procedures and perform duties in a manner that will not endanger the employees or other individuals, harm facilities or equipment or violate environmental regulations. Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Salary Range $117,500
- $235,700
- Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.
Qualifications We Require A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance Qualifications We Desire The ideal R D S&E Optical Engineering candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following: Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
Use of laboratory test equipment: oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, waveform/function generators, multimeters, power supplies, and data acquisition systems.
Knowledge of optical design, fabrication and opto-mechanical mechanisms.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams. Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience: Knowledge of optical design, fabrication and opto-mechanical mechanisms
Experience with advanced engineering hardware design, fabrication, evaluating, and testing processes
Possess a strong dedication to a teaming dynamic, strong written and verbal skills, detail oriented with a keen focus on customer service
About Our Team The optics and sensors engineering department conceives, designs, and builds new integrated sensor systems to solve national problems with remotely sensed data. To execute the sensor development lifecycle, the department utilizes core competencies in optics and sensor sciences, sensor system engineering, advanced modeling and simulation, and data exploitation. Typical activities completed by the department include:
- The optics and sensors engineering department conceives, designs, and builds new integrated sensor systems to solve national problems with remotely sensed data.
To execute the sensor development lifecycle, the department utilizes core competencies in optics and sensor sciences, sensor system engineering, advanced modeling and simulation, and data exploitation. Typical activities completed by the department include
- Mission-to-system trade-space evaluation and conceptual design
- Optical design development
- End-to-end sensor performance prediction
- Development of sensor requirements
- Optical alignment and test
- Sensor development and characterization
- Sensor system qualification Posting Duration This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'.
Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time. Security Clearance Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted. Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. EEO All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law. NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs. If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
