Advanced Optics Engineer

McLeansville, NC DEFENSE Full-time Posted Oct 30, 2026
Apply on General Dynamics Mission Systems (opens in a new tab) Sourced via careers-gdms.icims.com · Posted 2026-10-30

About this role

General Dynamics Mission Systems is hiring a Advanced Optics Engineer, full-time, on-site in McLeansville, NC, in the DEFENSE sector.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, or a related Science, Engineering or Mathematics field, plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS:Department of Defense Secret security clearance is required at time of hire. Applicants selected will be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

Put your engineering talent to the ultimate test. At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we create the technologies, products and services that help our service members, intelligence analysts and first responders keep our nation safe. The work we do is so advanced, our teams often redefine what’s possible for the world. If you want to be a leader with the company that delivers smart solutions for our nation’s challenges, this is your opportunity. We apply advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, AR/VR, Cloud Native and Quantum Physics to solve our customers’ missions in cyber, RF, undersea, interstellar and everything in between.Utilizing your arsenal of skills and talents, you’ll design, develop, build and test systems and products based on optic, photonic and laser technologies. As an Advanced Optics Engineer, you’ll interact with device, hardware and software design teams to assist in 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/or evaluating and selecting appropriate test instrumentation. You’ll have a substantial contribution to electrical and optical requirements analysis, requirements definition, requirements management, functional analysis, performance analysis (e.g. optical loss, timing, power, etc.), design, integration and verification of electrical components, equipment and systems. We’ll rely on you to apply a good understanding of the organizationally defined optical processes used throughout the lifecycle of the program or project.

What you’ll experience:

Technologies that aren’t just top-notch, they’re often top-secret

A team of bold thinkers committed to exploring what’s next

Opportunities to gain new knowledge - as it’s discovered

What you bring to the table:

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, a related specialized area or field (or equivalent experience) plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or Master’s degree plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience

Solid use and understanding of electro-optical engineering concepts, principles, and theories

Proficient in the principles and techniques of Optical Engineering including optical telecommunications

Skilled in communicating issues, impacts, and corrective actions

What sets you apart:

Experience with optical modeling software’s like VPI Photonics and Synopsys OptSim.

Ability to travel internationally for equipment setup and repair.

Experience with characterization of optical components, including amplifiers, transmitters, and receivers.

Commitment to ongoing professional development.

Ability to advise design teams on manufacturing best practices with CCAs and optical fiber management.

Experience with the design, build, and characterization of optical test platforms.

Salary Note
This estimate represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors (geographic location, etc.). Actual pay may vary. This job posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Combined Salary Range
USD $122,785.00 - USD $136,215.00 /Yr.

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. With a global team of 12,000+ top professionals, we partner with the best in industry to expand the bounds of innovation in the defense and scientific arenas. Given the nature of our work and who we are, we value trust, honesty, alignment and transparency. We offer highly competitive benefits and pride ourselves in being a great place to work with a shared sense of purpose. You will also enjoy a flexible work environment where contributions are recognized and rewarded. If who we are and what we do resonates with you, we invite you to join our high-performance team!

Description from General Dynamics Mission Systems's official posting. Always confirm details on the company careers page.

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About General Dynamics Mission Systems

General Dynamics Mission Systems

Company in the mobility sector tracked nightly on the Mobility Jobs board.

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About Larry Sherwood Jr.

Talent Acquisition Leader specializing in mobility, EV, and frontier tech. 1,000+ hires across roles ranging from production technicians to VPs, including 48 hires for the AFEELA U.S. launch at Sony Honda Mobility (98% offer acceptance, $1.5M+ agency savings). SHRM-CP certified. Build recruiting functions from scratch, no agencies.

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Curated by Larry Sherwood Jr. on the free Mobility Jobs board. Pulled nightly from company applicant tracking systems. Apply directly on the source link above to be considered.