104 Results for

Optical Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Jobs

Laurel, MD15 days ago

$105,000–$290,000

The Electro Optical Seeker and Infrared Systems group (A1F) of the Air and Missile Defense Sector (AMDS) is seeking a Senior Embedded Systems & Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer to lead the architecture and implementation of complete embedded systems, custom electronics hardware, FPGA firmware, real-time embedded software, and sophisticated HWIL test systems. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

New!

Washington, DCToday

The selected candidate needs to have the necessary skills to provide technical assistance at the customer's physical premises to install, move, troubleshoot, repair, modify, and assist with any issue that may arise with telecommunications and related equipment, wiring, circuits, connections, as well as supporting networking and telephone/data communication services. Responsibilities:Overseeing the day-to-day activities related to installation, verification and maintenance of telecommunications equipment, network ports, ethernet and optical Fiber cabling, IP networks.

Laurel, MD23 days ago

$105,000–$290,000

Possess a M.S. degree in electrical engineering, physics, optics, chemistry, or a related field and a minimum of 5 years-experience working in the area of numerical modeling of optical systems OR a B.S. degree in a related field with a minimum of 10 years of experience working with numerical modeling tools. As a member of the High Energy Laser Systems & Technologies section in the Optics and Photonics Group, your work will help inform decision makers in the defense community to help solve some of our nation’s most critical challenges related to high power lasers and laser weapon systems.

New!

Reston, VAToday

Advanced routing and traffic engineering (BGP, OSPF/ISIS), path control, and convergence considerations SDWAN and secure connectivity patterns (SASE/SSE where applicable), including segmentation and policy design, QoS design (marking, queuing and shaping), performance engineering (latency/jitter/loss), and capacity planning. • Recommend optimized WAN solutions to Chief Engineer in support of current and long-range planning; collaborate with technical leads to select, recommend, and obtain approvals for tools and technologies that improve efficiency, reduce cost, and increase customer satisfaction.

Laurel, Maryland25 days ago

JHU/APL is seeking an Electro-Optical Engineer to be a part of a team of scientists and engineers that conceives, designs, builds, and tests complex electro-optical systems. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

New!

Lorton, Virginia5 days ago

Position Overview: QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Principal Optical Engineer with strong laboratory and prototype integration experience to support system integration on multiple defense-oriented programs through the full product life cycle, from the lab to the field. Characterize performance of EOIR sensors, typically broadband focal plane array type visible, near infrared (NIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR), midwave infrared (MWIR) and longwave infrared (LWIR) sensors, but also others as needed.

Herndon, Virginia30+ days ago

$104,000–$166,000 Per Year

In this role, you will provide technical expertise in laser-based, free-space optical communications and related technologies, ensure compliance with DoD guidelines, and collaborate across teams to drive project success. Providing technical guidance on deploying optical SATCOM systems, including optical ground terminals, wavefront correction, acquisition, tracking, and pointing (ATP) mechanisms, and atmospheric mitigation strategies.

Greenbelt, Maryland30+ days ago

This multi-faceted position will entail activities including: • Develop appropriate manufacturing and verification processes for the construction of high reliability fiber optic cables and fiber optic components/assemblies. Responsibilities: The Electro-Optical Engineer III shall perform design, development, calibration and evaluation of electro-optical elements, subsystems, and systems for spaceflight and ground- based systems.

Quantico, VA30+ days ago

Tasks include specifying, selecting, and qualifying active and passive optical components, developing and benchmarking system performance models, developing and implementing test procedures, and evaluating and selecting appropriate test instrumentation. Conduct research on solid-state lasers, masers, infrared, and other light-emitting and light-sensitive devices: Incorporate methods for maintenance and repair of components and designs, and develop test instrumentation and test procedures.

New!

Fort Meade, MD3 days ago

$100,000–$200,000 Per Year

Provide expertise in order to certify and support Optical systems to include optical switches, amplifiers, regenerators, Optical Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM), Optical Transport Networking (OTN), Optical Transport Unit (OTU) frames, OTN-based backbones, optical light paths, optical spectrum sharing, optical virtual private networks (O-VPNs), wavelength-based private services, Packet-Optical Transport System (P-OTS), Ethernet, Flexible Ethernet (FlexE), Carrier Ethernet. These technologies include network devices (Optical Transport Systems, Optical Line Systems, Optical Transponders, routers, switches, firewalls, and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and services Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA), Access Control List (ACL), secure remote access (i.e Secure shell, Secure VPN, IPSec), and IPv6 capable devices.

Laurel, Maryland30+ days ago

As part of a multi-disciplinary research team, you will join computational and experimental scientists and engineers who are passionate about developing innovative solutions that can impact the future development and application of electromagnetic devices using novel metasurface and phase-change material designs. We are seeking a creative and multidisciplinary scientist to help us mature existing projects and grow new ones by identifying emerging sponsor challenges that require novel electromagnetic solutions in the optical frequency range.

Fort Meade, MD30+ days ago

The Senior Subject Matter Expert (Optical) provides or leads in-depth analyses for translating customer unified capabilities needs into the design of networks for Optical, Circuit Switched and IP networks that support Telecommunications for classified Defense Networks which include Real Time Services such as voice and video converged with data applications end-to-end. At least eight years of experience in the installation, turn-up, testing, activation, maintenance, repair or construction of various types of telecommunications or other electronic equipment or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting completion of an accredited vocational or technical curriculum in telecommunications or a related discipline for the required or an equivalent combination of education and experience .

Patuxent, Maryland30+ days ago

This role focuses on designing, testing, and maintaining electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) systems, supporting complex defense-related test environments and mission-critical technologies. An organization is seeking an Electro-Optical Engineer (Journeyman) to support advanced aircraft research, development, testing, and evaluation initiatives.

Laurel, Maryland30+ days ago

We seek to drive technology advances in a variety of applications including remote sensing, rf photonics, optical communications, optical system design, high energy laser systems, applied spectroscopy, optical materials characterization, and advanced photonic technologies (including leveraging FPGA and digital design tools for photonic-based systems). Are interested in exploring a career in one or more of the following areas: Remote Sensing, Optical Communications, Optical System Design, High Energy Laser systems and technologies, Applied Spectroscopy, Optical Materials Characterization, or Advanced Photonics, FPGA development or digital design.

Annapolis Junction, MD12 days ago

$160,085–$168,840 Per Year

This involves interacting with device, hardware and software design teams to assist in the overall development of optical systems; specifying, selecting and qualifying active and passive optical components, developing and benchmarking system performance models, developing and implementing test procedures and evaluating and selecting appropriate test instrumentation. General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation.

Annapolis Junction, MD30+ days ago

$128,854–$142,947 Per Year

Annapolis Junction, MD30+ days ago

What you bring to the table:*Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, a related specialized area or field (or equivalent experience) plus a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree*Solid use of electrical and optical engineering concepts and processes, principles, and theories*Skilled in communicating issues, impacts, and corrective actions*US CitizenshipWhat sets you apart:*Experience conducting laboratory measurements, and/or hardware integration and/or hardware testing*Experience with optical and communications test and measurement equipment and laboratory tools*Experience with or interest in hardware prototyping and field testing*Familiarity with one or more of the following: Matlab, Lumerical, Zemax, VPI, Python, C/C++, LabViewIf you are interested in this role, please apply via the apply now link provided. This position involves interacting with device, hardware and software design teams to assist in the overall development of optical and photonic systems; specifying, selecting and qualifying active and passive components; developing and benchmarking system performance models; developing and implementing test procedures, and evaluating and selecting appropriate test instrumentation.

Annapolis Junction, Maryland27 days ago

$202,197–$213,254 Per Year

The breadth of these projects includes technologies for application in free-space optical (FSO) and fiber communications and sensors, photonic integrated circuits, active and passive optical remote sensing and imaging, microwave photonics, and quantum technologies. Company Overview: General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) engineers a diverse portfolio of high technology solutions, products and services that enable customers to successfully execute missions across all domains of operation.

Laurel, Maryland30+ days ago

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

New!

Washington, DC5 days ago

The new Engineer will work with a team of engineers and technicians to monitor, troubleshoot and maintain these systems to ensure optimal performance, and investigate new approaches to time transfer as well as improvements to existing TWSTT and FTT techniques. The new Electrical Engineer will work closely with other CPI contractors and civilian members of the Precise Time Department, providing periodic updates to the Coordinated Time Transfer division chief.

Chantilly, VA30+ days ago

Interact frequently with network an transport services providers to resolve network anomalies and performance issues, as well as to determine future products to meet the customer's strategic initiatives for services. Review daily assessment reports of network health and performance, and provide technical guidance to operations personnel and vendors as necessary to resolve network performance issues.

Washington, DC13 days ago

The new Electrical Engineer will work closely with other CPI contractors and civilian members of the Precise Time Department, providing periodic updates to the Clock Operations Division Chief. CPI has served various U.S. Government agencies, universities, international science organizations, prime contractors, as well as commercial customers for 40 years.

District of Columbia30+ days ago

We offer design, installation, support and project management for Distributed Antenna Systems, Passive Optical Networking, voice/data, wireless systems, security, audiovisual, and video teleconferencing delivering powerful IP-centric, integrated solutions that get results. Overview: The AV field engineer is responsible for successfully configuring, deploying, and completing all commissioning tasks required for acceptance walkthrough, training, and signoff of the AV system.

Washington, DC30+ days ago

Remote

$82,969–$110,625 Per Year

Conduct comprehensive testing of DS-3, OC-3, OC-12, OC-48, and OC-192 circuits using Bit Error Rate Testers (BERTs), Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs), Optical Power Meters, and other precision optical test equipment. Responsibilities include performing site surveys to assess infrastructure readiness; installing, provisioning, and commissioning equipment; and executing turnup and testing of advanced networking technologies.

New!

Ashburn, VA2 days ago

Understanding of fiber-optic technology including cable types, connector types, optic types, patch panels, and optical transport technologies. Provide necessary escalations to higher support tier; assist Sales and Customer Support with technical operations, and work with internal departments to ensure customer satisfaction.

Reston, VA20 days ago

$145,000–$185,000

To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Umbra is an American space technology company delivering advanced systems, from sensors to spacecraft, that empower customers worldwide with unmatched access to critical information from space.

Arlington, Virginia30+ days ago

Technology moving at the speed of thought” embodies these principles – the need to nimbly utilize the best that information technology offers to meet the business needs of our Federal Government customers. Additional Job Information: TekSynap is a fast growing high-tech company that understands both the pace of technology today and the need to have a comprehensive well planned information management environment.

Arlington, VA25 days ago

$70–$81.95 Per Hour

DWDM/Optical Network Systems Experience - Direct hands-on experience deploying and operating high-capacity DWDM systems is non-negotiable given the scale and the critical nature of interconnecting AWS data centers globally. 2. Network Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving - The ability to diagnose and resolve Optical DWDM network issues is essential for maintaining the high availability and reliability that AWS customers demand, especially given the operational on-call responsibilities.

Herndon, VA23 days ago

This role provides technical and program leadership across cross?functional engineering teams, ensuring successful delivery of large?scale telecom and integration efforts. Clearance: Active Public Trust required; ability to obtain additional suitability clearance.

Fort Meade, Maryland30+ days ago

Experience in technical engineering leadership roles, including leading technically varied teams for successful deliveries on complex engineering programs to support products, services, and operations. Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information; an active TS/SCI clearance; willingness to take a polygraph exam.

Herndon, Virginia16 days ago

$135,000–$216,000 Per Year

You will lead the physical and logical integration of fiber and IP‑based circuits and direct the technical work needed to move legacy copper (TDM) systems to modern fiber and IP networks across the National Airspace System (NAS). Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA’s Business, National Airspace, and Technical Computing Services (BNATCS) contract.

Herndon, Virginia18 days ago

$104,000–$166,000 Per Year

You will help execute the transition from older legacy copper (TDM) systems to modern fiber and IP networks across the National Airspace System (NAS), working closely with the key stakeholders including Systems Integration Engineer SME for guidance, technical direction, and collaboration. Lead Modernization Initiatives: Deep knowledge and understanding of legacy copper and TDM transport systems is required to apply advanced engineering expertise and direct their transition to fiber based and IP enabled architectures across multi state environments.

Chantilly, VA30+ days ago

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Arlington, VA30+ days ago

$80–$85 Per Hour

Candidates should also have had significant past experience with, and expertise in many of the following protocols & technologies: DWDM, T1/DS1, DS3, SONET (OC3, OC48), 802.2/3, 802.1d VLANs/STP, IPv4 & IPv6, TCP (internals & flow control), BGP, OSPF, HSRP/GLBP, PIMv2, IGMP, LDP, TACACS, IPSEC & VPNs, Netflow, DNS, HTTP. Experience with the rollout and operations of large DWDM networks and Optical network technologies.

Laurel, Maryland16 days ago

You will work with engineers and scientists to develop new concepts for software defined radios and payloads for space RF and optical systems for communications, PNT, remote sensing, and ISR&T applications. Are willing and able to accommodate flexible hours for spacecraft level testing activities for short periods of time, infrequent travel to customer or sponsor locations as well as spacecraft integration and test sites.

Reston, Virginia17 days ago

$112,000–$179,000 Per Year

This role is designed for a mid-career systems engineer or technical architect who has led or significantly contributed to technical volumes on competitive government proposals — and who brings specific expertise in USSF communications and ground modernization. You will work closely with the primary USSF ACE, the Mission Domain Expert, and the CTO Office's Next-Gen Technology Engineers to ensure Peraton's USSF pursuits are technically differentiated from the first day of capture through final proposal submission.

Chantilly, VA30+ days ago

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer I/II based at our Optical Systems sites in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) using the latest High-Performance Computing (HPC) technologies including Nvidia CUDA to support advanced Electro-Optical (EO/IR) technology.

Chantilly, VA30+ days ago

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Chantilly, VA30+ days ago

Laurel, Maryland30+ days ago

If so, the Strike Guidance, Navigation, Controls (GNC), and Seekers group is looking for PhDs who are pursuing degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

Maryland11 days ago

$129,000–$147,000 Per Year

Washington, WA9 days ago

$68,090.08–$102,135.12 Per Year

Required Education: Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) or similar field Allowable substitution: + High school degree, or a GED, and fifteen (15) years of relevant system/subsystem engineering experience, OR + Bachelor's degree in engineering, scientific, or technical discipline and ten (10) years of system/subsystem engineering experience, OR + Master's degree in engineering, scientific, or technical discipline and five (5) years of relevant system/subsystem engineering experience. This includes a wide range of M&S assets, including digital system representations, virtual twins, system level and combat system digital test beds throughout the detect to engage sequence, Systems Engineering (SE) and Test & Evaluation (T&E) tools, target simulations/stimulators, digital and hardware threat representations, atmospheric representations, scene generators, and data visualizations Duties: + Meet regularly (2-3times per week) with IWS2 M&S Lead at Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).

Chantilly, Virginia30+ days ago

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Provide initial security risk analysis using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, develop analytic judgments such as relevance or vulnerabilities, and prepare briefings and reports documenting the methodologies and results. Responsibilities: The Sponsor is looking for a highly skilled Systems Engineer with proficiency in various technologies supporting communications, radio frequency (RF), and optical systems and signatures, and TEMPEST evaluations or countermeasures.

Chantilly, VA30+ days ago

Remote

$160,000–$215,000 Per Year

Our diverse talented staff of scientists, engineers, and business professionals support critical missions including Space Domain Awareness, Battlespace Awareness & Decision Support, Space Exploration & Science, and the establishment of core Space Infrastructure. DISCLAIMER: Trusted Space, LLC only uses the respective domains of trustedspace.com and trustedspace.us for official contact and any other domains are likely a scam and do not originate from our company.

Washington, Washington, DC24 days ago

$98,000–$130,000 Per Year

Technology moving at the speed of thought” embodies these principles – the need to nimbly utilize the best that information technology offers to meet the business needs of our Federal Government customers. The salary range displayed is an estimate and will be determined on several factors regarding the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies and experience, as well as contract parameters and organizational requirements.

Silver Spring, MD30+ days ago

$87,200–$134,000 Per Year

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Optical Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Senior Embedded Systems & Hardware-in-the-Loop Engineer Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)

IT - Systems Engineer II PlanIT Group

High Energy Laser Scientist / Modeler Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)

Enterprise Architect PlanIT Group

Electro-Optical Engineer Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Principal Optical Engineer QinetiQ US

Optical Communications Systems Engineer Peraton

Electro-Optical Engineer III Columbus Technologies

Optical Engineer Sedulous Consulting Services LLC

IP and Optical Test Engineers By Light Professional IT Services

Advanced Optical Component Design and Characterization Researcher Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Senior Optical SME Lead Competitive Range Solutions, LLC

Engineer Vets Hired

2026 Graduate - Optics & Photonics Engineer/Scientist Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Senior Advanced Electro-Optic Design Engineer General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc

Advanced Electro-Optic Design Engineer General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc

Electro-Optics Engineer Belcan

Senior Principal Electrical-Optics Engineer General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc

Optics Engineer Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Electrical Engineer Computational Physics, Inc.

Network Engineer TS/SCI TENICA and Associates LLC

Electrical Test Engineer Computational Physics, Inc.

Audio-Visual Field Engineer Vision Technologies, Inc

Senior Engineer - Public Sector Lumen

Network Support Engineer Noblesoft Technologies

Spacecraft Thermal Engineer Umbra

Senior Circuit Engineer TekSynap

Network Engineer IV Belcan

Systems Engineer III Convergenz

Telecommunications Engineer Precision Solutions

Systems Integration Engineer (Telecom) - SME Peraton

Systems Integration Engineer (Telecom) - Senior Peraton

Senior Firmware Engineer II/Principal Rocket Lab Corporation

Network Engineer IV PDS Inc, LLC

Digital Signal Processing Engineer Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Advanced Capabilities Engineer - USSF Programs Peraton

Senior Quality Engineer II (Software) Rocket Lab Corporation

Systems Engineer II - Secret Clearance Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Embedded Software Engineer I/II Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Embedded Software Engineer I Rocket Lab Corporation

Firmware Engineer II Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior Firmware Engineer II Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior DevOps Engineer I Rocket Lab Corporation

2026 PhD Graduate - Autonomous Systems Design Engineer: Controls, Navigation, Sensors, and Simulation Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

IT Hardware Engineer TekSynap

Modeling and Simulation Engineer Precise Systems, Inc.

Communications Systems Engineer Arcfield

TS206 Computer Vision Engineer Warriors Solutions

Senior Data Network Engineer TekSynap

Systems Engineer II/Senior Rocket Lab Corporation

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