Jobs and Careers

Manager, Electro-Optical Engineering

nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, Inc.

United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 27 Jul 2026

💰 $200,000/yr($150,000/yr – $200,000/yr)

About the role

Location: Longmont, CO (onsite)

Experience: A minimum of 10+ years of experience.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Systems, Electrical, Optical Engineering or in related field.

Compensation: $150,000-$200,000 depending on experience.

Who We Are

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities – from semiconductor device through target identification – to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary

As an Electro-Optical (EO) Engineering Manager at nLIGHT DEFENSE Systems, you would be responsible for leading the people, processes, and technical execution that enable the successful development, integration, test, and delivery of advanced electro-optical systems. As an EO Engineering Manager, you will combine strong technical leadership with functional management responsibilities, serving as both an engineering leader and a hands-on contributor to complex development programs.

This role requires an experienced engineer who can guide and develop teams across all levels of seniority while simultaneously contributing to system architecture, technical problem-solving, integration planning, and customer engagement. You will establish technical direction, drive engineering excellence, allocate resources across programs, and ensure the professional development and success of your team.

EO Engineering Managers are expected to build high-performing teams capable of designing, integrating, and delivering High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon Systems, Beam Control Systems (BCS), and other advanced electro-optical solutions. This role serves as a critical link between engineering execution, program leadership, and organizational strategy.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.

Responsibilities

Lead and further develop a team of early career, mid-level, and senior Electro-Optical Engineers, providing technical mentorship, performance coaching, career development, and functional leadership.
Establish and drive the technical direction, engineering standards, best practices, and development methodologies for the Electro-Optical Engineering organization.
Provide hands-on technical leadership for the design, development, integration, test, and deployment of High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon Systems, Beam Control Systems (BCS), and other advanced electro-optical systems.
Serve as a senior technical authority for system architecture, requirements flow-down, interface management, verification planning, system performance optimization, and complex troubleshooting activities.
Manage engineering resources, staffing priorities, and workload allocation across multiple programs, proposals, and strategic initiatives.
Partner with Program Managers, Engineering leaders, and business leaders to balance technical, schedule, cost, and performance objectives while identifying and mitigating program risks.
Serve as a key customer-facing technical leader, supporting design reviews, technical presentations, field testing, demonstrations, and program execution activities.

Required Experience / Capability