Engineer Principal - Optical - Focal Plane Electronics System

BAE Systems

•

Boulder, Colorado

•

PERMANENT

REMOTE/WORK

FROM HOME

Updated 09/06/2026

Job Description

Job Summary

Job Description

We are seeking a Focal Plane Electronics System Engineer to design, characterize, and optimize cutting‑edge electro‑optical (EO) focal plane subsystems. This position is a dynamic, hands‑on role working across a broad range of detector technologies, including ultraviolet, visible, near‑infrared, short‑wave infrared, mid‑wave infrared, and long‑wave infrared architectures. Your efforts will directly enable mission‑critical capabilities for Civil, Defense, and Tactical customers.

This position serves as a Focal Plane Detector Test Engineer within the Detector Technology Center of the Payload Engineering department, part of the Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit at BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems (SMS).

The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers' missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.

What You'll Do:

Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team (electrical, software, systems, optical, mechanical, structural, thermal) to develop high performance electronics solutions for low noise focal planes used in scientific and high speed space based imaging.

Provide subject matter expertise in focal plane interface electronics systems and components.

Contribute to focal plane subsystem design, development, production, and test, with emphasis on functional definitions, electrical interfaces, operational concepts, and grounding strategies.

Develop design of experiments approaches, test plans, and test procedures to validate performance, characterize devices, and resolve operational issues.

Troubleshoot focal plane electrical hardware anomalies, performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions for both engineering development and flight hardware.

Support system level modeling, simulation, analysis, trades, risk assessments, and requirements development using

DOORS, MBSE

methodologies, and other systems engineering tools.

Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.

Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment:

This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.

May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.

May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Requirements

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 6 or more years related experience.

Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.

Technical experience with electrically interfacing to focal plane involving complex read-out integrated circuits (ROIC) with photodetector arrays

Technical experience with harnessing and rigid flex cables along with grounding knowledge and EMI background

Testing focal planes requires a blend of physics, electronics, optics, systems engineering, and hands‑on lab skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (such as Project, Excel, Outlook, and Word)

Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in and contribute to a dynamic cross-functional team environment.

Willingness to take initiative, be able to complete tasks in a timely manner, and have good time management and organizational skills.

#LI-GJ1

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

Knowledge of solid‑state semiconductor detectors, including device physics, charge transport mechanisms, and performance‑limiting noise sources.

Proficiency in computer program languages such as C, MatLab, Ruby, Python

Proficiency in FPGA programing and operations.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range:

$118095 - $200762

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits:

At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

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