Optical Payload Subsystem Engineering Senior Manager

Job Description

About Lockheed Martin Space’s Optical Talent Center (OTC)

Lockheed Martin Space’s Optical Talent Center (OTC) is a pioneering force in the field of optics, pushing the boundaries of visible-light and infrared systems, missile defense, space exploration, and more. The dedicated team at the OTC is committed to making a meaningful impact on the world, tackling some of the most challenging engineering problems with their unique skills and expertise.

Job Description: Optical Payload Subsystem Engineering Senior Manager

This role offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to lead and shape the future of optical payload development for space applications. As the Senior Manager for Optical Payload Subsystem Engineering, Mission Performance, and Test, you will oversee a team responsible for delivering optical subsystems to Lockheed Martin’s Lines of Business (LOBs).

Your responsibilities include:

• Systems Engineering Framework: Maintaining a comprehensive systems engineering framework for payloads, encompassing mission and instrument performance analysis, optical payload system design, requirements definition, verification and test planning, and EO/IR algorithm development.
• Common Payload Architectures: Championing the development of standardized, reusable payload architectures across multiple missions, encompassing passive EO, active EO, and directed energy applications.
• Standardized Sell-off: Applying consistent requirements and functional decomposition methodologies to ensure standardized and efficient sell-off approaches.
• Design Robustness: Promoting the use of qualified product designs across multiple space applications, enhancing overall design robustness and reliability.
• Mission Performance and Image Processing: Developing and refining mission performance analysis and image processing capabilities for reuse across various programs.
• Technology Transition: Creating transition plans for low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) products from the science and technology community into operational systems.
• Intellectual Property: Leading or supporting intellectual property evaluations and the development of patent applications.
• Independent Research and Development (IRAD): Proposing and executing IRAD projects focused on standardization and maturation, in coordination with OTC Program Development.
• Strategic Partnerships: Enhancing relationships with strategic suppliers and other Lockheed Martin Business Areas (BAs) to complement the in-house OTC team.

This position requires:

• Strong leadership skills with proven experience in developing technical talent and establishing pipelines to sustain technical expertise.
• Experience in a formally recognized systems engineering role.
• Demonstrated expertise in the architecture and design of optical payloads, with a deep understanding of Technical Performance Measures (TPMs).
• Experience working on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission solutions.
• Current DoD Top Secret clearance or equivalent with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

Desired skills include:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively convey complex information.
• Experience in the design, development, and/or verification of signal and image collection systems.
• Proven leadership experience in Full Spectrum Leadership roles, with a track record of guiding teams to high productivity and fostering collaboration.
• Ability to drive closure and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Over 8 years of demonstrated technical expertise and over 3 years of hands-on experience with space systems or complex hardware/software systems.
• Experience working across space and ground applications, including ground-to-ground, space-to-ground, and space-to-space systems.
• Expertise in developing processing and dissemination computer algorithms for extracting information from signal and image sensors.
• Experience in remote sensing, optical performance modeling, radiometric modeling, and calibration techniques.
• Experience in testing methodologies for complex, high-precision systems, including optical alignment, radiometric testing, and full environmental testing for space applications.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of space exploration by leading a team of talented engineers who are passionate about pushing the boundaries of optical technology.