Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) is seeking a Principal Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer for an Onsite position with a U.S.-based aerospace and defense technology company located in Tustin, CA. This is a direct hire opportunity. This is a senior, hands-on engineering role for an individual who can take complex optical hardware from concept through detailed design, analysis, fabrication, alignment, test, and production. The work includes telescopes, sensors, precision optical assemblies, and related structures that must maintain performance through demanding environments. The ideal candidate understands that optical performance is inseparable from mechanical design and is comfortable owning difficult technical decisions, troubleshooting real hardware, and leading cross-functional work.
Responsibilities: - Conceive and develop complex optical, mechanical, and opto-mechanical system and subsystem layouts for airborne and space platforms
- Lead the mechanical design of precision optical assemblies such as telescopes, sensors, lens/mirror mounts, optical benches, housings, and related tooling
- Create and own detailed 3D CAD models, drawings, GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, Bills of Materials, and configuration-controlled design documentation
- Work closely with optical, structural, thermal, manufacturing, quality, program management, and operations teams to ensure system-level performance
- Translate optical requirements into manufacturable mechanical designs that control alignment, stability, decenter, tilt, spacing, and line-of-sight performance
- Evaluate thermal, structural, vibration, shock, and mechanical influences on optical performance and support FEA/STOP-related analysis as needed
- Develop design-for-assembly and integration approaches, tooling, alignment methods, and assembly/test procedures
- Resolve fabrication, assembly, alignment, and test issues; lead root-cause evaluations and implement corrective design actions
- Assess manufacturability, cost, schedule, and technical risk while improving existing designs and processes
- Work directly with optics, machining, coating, and mechanical suppliers to drive component performance and manufacturability
- Support technical proposals, customer presentations, quotes, design reviews, and new program pursuits
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring while remaining directly involved in detailed engineering work
Requirements: - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related technical field, with 9 years of relevant experience
- Demonstrated experience designing complex opto-mechanical or precision optical hardware
- Strong mechanical design fundamentals and advanced 3D CAD capability; SolidWorks is strongly preferred
- Experience with engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, precision fits, and design for manufacturability/assembly
- Experience taking hardware from concept through fabrication, integration, test, and production support
- Ability to work onsite in Tustin, California five days per week
- Ability to meet applicable U.S. export-control requirements
Desired skills: - Master's degree with 7 years of relevant experience, or Ph.D. with 4 years
- Design of telescopes, EO/IR sensors, imaging systems, laser systems, optical payloads, or other aerospace/defense optical hardware
- SolidWorks plus FEA tools such as Simcenter, FEMAP, NASTRAN, ANSYS, or comparable software
- Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) awareness or experience translating structural/thermal behavior into optical performance considerations
- Optical alignment, metrology, integration, and test experience
- Design of lens barrels, mirror mounts, flexures, kinematic mounts, optical benches, detector mounts, or precision pointing/alignment structures
- Knowledge of optical fabrication processes including grinding, polishing, coating, testing, and precision machining
- Experience designing for shock, vibration, thermal cycling, launch, airborne, or other harsh operating environments
- Experience with optical materials and systems operating across IR, SWIR, NIR, Visible, or UV wavelengths
- Supplier/vendor management for optics, mechanical components, tooling, coatings, or precision manufacturing
Pay range: $141,091 - $193,999 per year Only candidates available and ready to work directly as Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) employees will be considered for this position. If you have the described qualifications and are interested in this exciting opportunity, apply today! Aptask Global Workforce (AGW) ApTask Global Workforce (AGW) is a certified Minority and Veteran workforce solutions company. AGW delivers operational, clinical, lab and professional talent with a strong focus on healthcare and life sciences. The company supports clients with reliable staffing, program expertise and a commitment to quality, speed and consistent delivery.
Benefits of working with ApTask Global Workforce include: - Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Sick Pay (for applicable states/municipalities)
Our team stays close to the process and is here to guide you every step of the way. To learn more, please visit our website ;br>
ApTask Global Workforce is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.
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