Optical Systems Engineers
Back Optical Systems Engineer Engineering Broomfield , Colorado Direct Hire Feb 27, 2026 Optical Systems Engineer - Senior Principal II Senior Principal Level | Broomfield, CO | Clearance Eligible You design precision optical systems where microns matter and mission success depends on performance. Lead the architecture and delivery of advanced optical payloads supporting next-generation space missions. A Day in the Life - What you'll do
• Design and analyze complex optical systems, including error budgeting, optical alignment strategies, and operational performance assessments
• Architect optical payloads that meet stringent mission-level performance requirements
• Perform optical performance analysis for segmented apertures and wavefront sensing and control systems
• Lead cross-disciplinary engineering teams delivering state-of-the-art subsystems and payloads
• Collaborate across enterprise teams to share best practices and institutional knowledge
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external mission partners
• Provide technical vision, mentorship, and leadership across engineering teams
• Maintain a hybrid on-site schedule (3+ days per week) with occasional local travel Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field from an accredited institution
• 10+ years of related optical engineering experience
• Experience with design and alignment of complex optical systems
• Experience performing optical performance analysis
• Experience developing and managing error budgets
• Experience working with segmented aperture systems
• Experience with wavefront sensing and control systems
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and executive stakeholders
• Ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams
• Ability to maintain a regular and predictable hybrid work schedule
• Willingness and eligibility to obtain and maintain required security clearance if program demands Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in Engineering or related field
• PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline
• Experience supporting space-based optical payloads
• Experience supporting mission-level system architecture development
• Experience performing operational data analysis for deployed optical systems
• Experience working in multi-organizational engineering environments Who is Caribou Thunder?
Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners. 35+ states and 20+ countries. We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades — strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space. Why Caribou Thunder? TEAM THUNDER
— Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve. Employee Advocacy Mission Proven Global Reach Skilled Teams Modern Tools Empowering Culture Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier — delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments. We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence — disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions. Employee Advocacy + Benefits Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being — knowing their success drives ours. Benefits include:
Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance 401(k) with 6% Company Match Flexible PTO & Work Schedule Education & Certification Reimbursement Support for Military Leave Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values Your future, your flexibility, your well-being — we invest in you. Apply and let's connect. Apply Now Share This Post
Apply Now
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• Design and analyze complex optical systems, including error budgeting, optical alignment strategies, and operational performance assessments
• Architect optical payloads that meet stringent mission-level performance requirements
• Perform optical performance analysis for segmented apertures and wavefront sensing and control systems
• Lead cross-disciplinary engineering teams delivering state-of-the-art subsystems and payloads
• Collaborate across enterprise teams to share best practices and institutional knowledge
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external mission partners
• Provide technical vision, mentorship, and leadership across engineering teams
• Maintain a hybrid on-site schedule (3+ days per week) with occasional local travel Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical field from an accredited institution
• 10+ years of related optical engineering experience
• Experience with design and alignment of complex optical systems
• Experience performing optical performance analysis
• Experience developing and managing error budgets
• Experience working with segmented aperture systems
• Experience with wavefront sensing and control systems
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and executive stakeholders
• Ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams
• Ability to maintain a regular and predictable hybrid work schedule
• Willingness and eligibility to obtain and maintain required security clearance if program demands Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in Engineering or related field
• PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline
• Experience supporting space-based optical payloads
• Experience supporting mission-level system architecture development
• Experience performing operational data analysis for deployed optical systems
• Experience working in multi-organizational engineering environments Who is Caribou Thunder?
Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners. 35+ states and 20+ countries. We've delivered trusted solutions for over two decades — strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space. Why Caribou Thunder? TEAM THUNDER
— Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve. Employee Advocacy Mission Proven Global Reach Skilled Teams Modern Tools Empowering Culture Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier — delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments. We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence — disciplines powering the nation's most complex technical missions. Employee Advocacy + Benefits Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being — knowing their success drives ours. Benefits include:
Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance 401(k) with 6% Company Match Flexible PTO & Work Schedule Education & Certification Reimbursement Support for Military Leave Work-Life Balance & Traditional Family Values Your future, your flexibility, your well-being — we invest in you. Apply and let's connect. Apply Now Share This Post
Apply Now
Apply Now