Senior Scientist Photonic and Laser Systems

Date Posted:

2026-11-13

Country:

United States of America

Location:

US-VA-DULLES-710 ~ 22110 Pacific Blvd ~ BLDG 10

Position Role Type:

Hybrid

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearance

Security Clearance Type:

Top Secret - Current

Security Clearance Status:

Active and existing security clearance required on day 1

At Raytheon, the foundation of everything we do is rooted in our values and a higher calling – to help our nation and allies defend freedoms and deter aggression. We bring the strength of more than 100 years of experience and renowned engineering expertise to meet the needs of today’s mission and stay ahead of tomorrow’s threat. Our team solves tough, meaningful problems that create a safer, more secure world.

Raytheon Engineering’s Photonic System’s Group is seeking a Senior Manager with world‑class expertise in photonics, laser systems, free‑space optical communications, and RF photonics. The Fellow will serve as a senior technical leader advancing next‑generation high‑power laser-based countermeasure systems, optical communication terminals, adaptive optics, and RF-over‑fiber photonic solutions used in missile defense, airborne systems, and next‑generation countermeasure payloads.

The successful candidate will be a recognized expert capable of shaping technology strategy, leading complex R&D programs, architecting multi‑domain optical/RF systems, and mentoring future technical leaders. This role directly influences photonic systems technology roadmaps and supports program pursuits, IRAD investments, and prototype demonstrations across RMD and other Directorates.

What you will do:

• Serve as the senior technical authority for laser, photonic, and RF photonic systems across multiple programs and divisions within Raytheon.
• Architect integrated optical/RF systems incorporating high‑power fiber lasers, doped fiber amplifiers, EDFA/ROADM subsystems, free‑space optical terminals, and RF‑over‑fiber photonic links.
• Lead end‑to‑end system engineering including:

o Optical & RF link budgets o Atmospheric propagation modeling o Laser/optical power chain analysis o High‑speed modulation and RF photonics signal transport o Optical modem waveform development and optimization

• Direct the development of embedded control algorithms for real‑time optical and RF photonic subsystems.
• Drive hands‑on laboratory prototyping, alignment, verification, optical assembly integration, and optical communications testing.
• Provide Fellow‑level technical leadership for IRAD strategy, technology maturation, competitive discrimination, and capture activities.
• Engage with government stakeholders for technical reviews, demonstrations, and concept development aligned to the Photonic Systems’ mission needs.
• Interface closely with manufacturing engineering, supply chain partners, and vendors to transition prototypes to production‑ready designs.
• Lead multi‑disciplinary teams across optical design, RF engineering, embedded firmware, and system architecture.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers; grow internal photonics and RF photonics capability across the organization.

Required Qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship and an active DoD TOP SECRET security clearance.
• Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or another directly related technical discipline.
• 15+ years of professional experience designing laser, optical, and electro-optical systems for defense or high-reliability applications.
• Experience integrating RF photonics with laser and optical systems, including RF signal modulation, RF-over-fiber architectures, and photonic control systems.
• Experience developing and integrating prototype optical systems, including optical alignment, system testing, verification, and embedded control development.
• Experience modeling and simulating optical and photonic systems using analytical or computational methods, including fiber lasers, atmospheric propagation, Raman and erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), and transient control models.
• Experience developing embedded firmware for high-speed optical and RF control systems, including closed-loop control applications.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience developing reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs), EDFA transient suppression algorithms, wavelength-selective switch (WSS) systems, or RF photonic switching architectures.
• Experience with EO/IR countermeasure systems, high-power laser effects, or atmospheric physics applied to DoD or Intelligence Community mission requirements.
• Experience designing and implementing automated test systems, optical manufacturing processes, or yield improvement strategies.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: quantum optics, advanced photonics, nonlinear fiber optics, or free-space laser communication systems.
• Experience collaborating with defense prime contractors, component vendors, and manufacturing partners to advance technologies from prototype development to system integration or production.
• Experience supporting technical capture activities, preparing technical proposals, and conducting technical discussions with customers.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, with responsibility for technical design decisions, system integration, and project execution.

What We Offer:

• Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Safety, Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
• Relocation Eligible

Learn More & Apply Now!

DMV: https://careers.rtx.com/global/en/raytheon-dmv-location

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 172,900 USD - 328,700 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

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