Electro-Optics System Architect-SME *
Date: Oct 22, 2026
Location: Dayton Wright-Patterson AFB, O, Ohio, United States
Company: HII's Mission Technologies division
Requisition Number: 30808
Required Travel: 11 - 25%
Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $140,704.00 - $201,006.00
Security Clearance: Secret
Level of Experience: Senior
This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems.
HII works within our nation’s intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners.
Leadership at HII – Mission Technologies
HII’s Leadership Capability Framework defines the standard of excellence expected of all leaders across Mission Technologies. Leaders are accountable for modeling these capabilities and building them within their teams:
- Know & Grow Your People – Develop talent, empower teams, and build an inclusive environment.
- Build Relationships – Strengthen trust, collaboration, and cross-functional partnerships.
- Take Ownership – Drive accountability, execution excellence, and results.
- Customer First – Anticipate mission needs and deliver value to our partners.
- Shape the Future – Inspire innovation and align work with strategic priorities.
- Act with Urgency – Make informed decisions and move with purpose.
These capabilities define how leaders inspire teams, deliver results, and shape the future of Mission
Job Description
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) Mission Technologies is seeking an Electro-Optics (EO) Engineer to serve as a technical lead engineer with HII located at a facility in Dayton, Ohio. The ideal candidate has expertise and experience in all aspects of Electro-Optics but particularly in experimental, laboratory and field work. This includes hardware testing, performance measurement, EO/IR validation, using simulation tools and predictive modelling. The candidate should also be a smart technical and programmatic lead as they will be responsible for assembling, leading and directing an eventually six man team.
This position is located at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), Ohio and is within a commutable distance from Beavercreek, Fairborn, Dayton, and Riverside.
#LI-NM2
Essential Job Responsibilities
Lead and manage a team in the development of an EO testing and measurement capability. Work with other senior management and technical leads. Resurrect and build up an EO test capability. Design and execute tests, both at Dayton and at various test facilities in CONUS. Work with customers to determine their requirements and test to meet them. Develop and maintain program and test schedules. Execute (and travel to) tests. Work with collected data to determine results and write comprehensive technical reports.
Minimum Qualifications
- 10 years relevant experience with PhD in either Optics, Physics or Electro-Optics field or 13 years of relevant experience with Masters in Physics or Electro-Optic field
- CLEARANCE: Minimum Secret clearance required to start
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI with enhanced security checks
- Advanced proficiency in Modeling & Simulation (M&S) and data analysis
- Experience with the design, development, or optimization of Electro-Optics systems architectures to include:
- Optical fundamentals; light sources, propagation, reflection, refraction, diffraction and polarization
- Sensor systems; photodetectors, principles of EO/IR sensors, radiometry, modulation transfer function and performance modelling
- Signal processing; image data processing, noise reduction and detection algorithms
- Analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written / report writing skills
- Strong team building and leading skills and personnel management
- Ability to summarize, interpret and provide critical feedback to technical discussions and documents
Preferred Requirements
- Strong understanding of optical and material phenomenology
- Software Skills like MatLab, Microsoft Office, Excel, COAST Modelling
- Understanding of the military test and evaluation process.
- Experience in field collections.
- Prior work in a clean room
Physical Requirements
- Will require working in an office, industrial, or laboratory environment.
- Capable of climbing ladders and tolerating confined spaces and extreme temperature variances.
- Will work with various transitional equipment.
The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.