Senior Staff Opto-Mechanical Engineer (Top Secret)

Job ID: 727374BR Date posted: May. 19, 2026
Description:Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security, and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more — we can innovate, invest, inspire, and integrate our capabilities to transform the future.

At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We’re creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security® vision. We’re erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We’re advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. And we’re reimagining how space can connect us, ensuring security and prosperity.

Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you.

The Optical Talent Center within Lockheed Martin Space is seeking a Senior Staff Opto‑Mechanical Engineer to spearhead the design and development of cutting‑edge optical payloads.

What You’ll Do
• Lead & Mentor: Direct a team of Opto-Mechanical engineers, fostering collaboration across mechanical, optical, electrical, and systems domains.
• Design Innovation: Own the mechanical architecture for a broad portfolio of passive, active, and directed‑energy optical payloads, addressing unique structural, thermal, and vibration challenges.
• Analysis & Validation: Perform high‑precision mechanical analyses and validate designs through modeling, prototyping, and testing.
• Cross‑Functional Integration: Work closely with optical engineers, payload managers, and program stakeholders to translate system requirements into robust mechanical solutions.

What You Bring
• Technical Expertise: Proven track record in opto‑mechanical design for high‑performance optical systems (telescopes, laser weapons, imaging sensors).
• Quantitative Rigor: Strong analytical skills with proficiency in GD&T, tolerance analysis, and precision‑assembly techniques.
• Leadership Ability: Experience leading engineering teams, driving consensus, and mentoring junior staff.
• Effective Communicator: Exceptional written and oral communication skills; comfortable preparing and delivering clear technical briefings, design reviews, and status reports to technical and non‑technical audiences, ranging from senior leadership to external partners.
• Problem‑Solver Mindset: Ability to tackle “form‑fits‑ function” challenges in precision payload subsystems under demanding performance and schedule constraints.

Why Join Us?
Work on high‑impact space programs that push the boundaries of optical technology.
Collaborative environment that values innovation, diversity of thought, and continuous learning.
Basic Qualifications:
• Proficiency in a range of standard design tools applied to Optomechanical design such as CAD, CREO, Solidworks, or other relevant assets.
• Experience as a Mechanical Engineer with a background in optical, optics, or other relevant areas.
• Experience with design for assembly and manufacturing techniques.
• Experience with specification development, vendor interface, parts selection, and/or configuration control.
• Top Secret Security clearance; US Citizenship required.
Desired Skills:
• Bachelors degree in engineering, such as Mechanical, Optical Sciences or related field.
• Experience in the aerospace and/or defense industry.
• Prior industry experience with electro-optical systems.
• Drafting Experience.
• GD&T Experience.
• Python knowledge.
• Experience developing a star tracking positioning system.
• Experience with Budgets and Schedules.
Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
Clearance Level: Top Secret
Other Important Information You Should Know
Expression of Interest: By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.
Ability to Work Remotely: Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.
Work Schedules: Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.
Schedule for this Position: 9x80 every other Friday off
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $128,400 - $226,435. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
Join us at Lockheed Martin, where your mission is ours. Our customers tackle the hardest missions. Those that demand extraordinary amounts of courage, resilience and precision. They’re dangerous. Critical. Sometimes they even provide an opportunity to change the world and save lives. Those are the missions we care about.

As a leading technology innovation company, Lockheed Martin’s vast team works with partners around the world to bring proven performance to our customers’ toughest challenges. Lockheed Martin has employees based in many states throughout the U.S., and Internationally, with business locations in many nations and territories.
Experience Level: Experienced Professional
Business Unit: SPACE
Relocation Available: Possible
Career Area: Mechanical Engineering
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First