Jobs / United States / Boeing Company
Optical Design Engineer (Associate or Mid-Level)
Boeing Company · 🇺🇸 2 Locations
Sponsorship verdict
Posting rules out sponsorship
The posting rules out sponsorship or requires citizenship/clearance.
- Employer is on a government sponsor recordThe US Department of Labor certified 72 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 7 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
- The posting doesn’t mention sponsorshipSilence isn’t a refusal — ask the recruiter before investing much time.
- No salary bar for this routeH-1B has no fixed salary bar: the employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for the role and area. Cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level. Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b, rules effective 2026-02-27.
- What Boeing Company paid sponsored hires in similar roles11 certified filings for “Mechanical System Design & Analysis Engineer” (Mechanical Engineers) in WA: $135k–$170k, median $143k. Most were filed at wage level IV (100%) — 4 lottery entries, ≈61% projected selection odds for cap-subject employers. Source: US Department of Labor LCA disclosure data (Oct 2025 – Jun 2026).
- Citizenship requirement statedFrom the posting’s own wording.
- Security clearance mentionedFrom the posting’s own wording.
- Confirmed live todayWhen a source last listed this job as open.
US H-1B: cap-subject employers enter a lottery weighted by wage level — Level I gets 1 entry, Level IV gets 4 (DHS projected selection odds ≈15% at Level I to ≈61% at Level IV). Universities and non-profit research employers are cap-exempt. The $100,000 fee for new petitions from abroad is currently blocked by a court order (appeal pending).
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Why not apply?
Citizenship requirement stated — the posting’s wording suggests candidates who already hold work rights. Read the original listing carefully.
The posting mentions a security clearance — usually restricted to citizens of that country.
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Sponsor Radar — Boeing Company
The US Department of Labor certified 72 H-1B/E-3 labor condition applications for this employer between Oct 2025 and Jun 2026 (latest Jun 2026) — the step every H-1B hire needs first. USCIS also records 7 H-1B approvals in FY2023. Source: LCA disclosure data (US Department of Labor (OFLC)).
Past sponsorship or register membership never guarantees sponsorship for this vacancy or for you. Full Sponsor Radar for Boeing Company →
About the role
Optical Design Engineer (Associate or Mid-Level) Company: The Boeing Company Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS) is looking for an Associate or Mid-Level Optical Design Engineer (Level 2 or 3) to join our exclusive team at the Starfire Optical Range on Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We are seeking a highly skilled Optical Design Engineer to support the advancement of ground-based electro-optical tracking and imaging systems. In this role, you will lead the design, simulation, and integration of high-precision optical systems, transitioning conceptual opto-mechanical frameworks into functional, state-of-the-art experimental hardware. This is an opportunity to utilize cutting-edge design tools and work directly with world-class, large-aperture telescopes at a historically significant military research site. This position supports the R&D mission of the Air Force Research Laboratory Optics Division in their advancement of Space Domain Awareness capabilities. The site houses telescope research facilities ranging in size from 0.5m up to 3.5m with advanced optical systems. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team supporting the supporting the development, optimization, and maintenance of control solutions. Benefits of working at Starfire Optical Range: • Your contributions will directly impact the advancement of Space Domain Awareness capabilities, a critical mission for our national security • You’ll have the opportunity to work with world-class telescopes and advanced optical systems • You’ll assume ownership for the architecture, development, and long-term health of a key application • You’ll be part of a supportive enthusiastic team of experts in various fields • We are committed to the professional development of our team members and provide opportunities for learning and advancement Position Responsibilities: • Perform hands-on optical design, ray tracing, and wavefront modeling using industry-standard design tools • Analyze optical system performance, including wavefront error, stray light, and distortion over temperature and structural variations • Design, model, and implement advanced optical architectures • Analyze interferometry, wavefront, and metrology data from real-world optical payloads to refine design tolerances and improve alignment strategies • Design, optimize, and validate complex optical systems in Zemax OpticStudio or Code V • Develop and execute optical bench testing, assembly integration, and interferometric verification to validate physical hardware against design models • Integrate optical designs with precision opto-mechanical mounts, active deformable mirrors, and sensor payloads on stable laboratory and telescope platforms This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options. Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/ Experience): • This position requires an active U.S. Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active) • This position requires ability to obtain U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance or equivalent (Post Start) • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (with a focus in Electrical, Mechanical or Aeronautical), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement • 2+ years of experience in optical design • 2+ years of experience with design, development, testing, and troubleshooting of advanced Electro-Optical Systems • Must be willing to work variable shifts; including days, evenings, nights, and weekends Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience): • Mid-Level (L