Job Description
The Senior Optical Engineer will support the design, integration, testing, and operation of advanced imaging payloads for Earth observation satellites, collaborating across teams to develop and troubleshoot optical systems such as telescopes and cameras. The role involves hands-on work in manufacturing, alignment, calibration, and testing of optical instruments within a space or aerospace environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the design, manufacturing, integration, testing, and operation of advanced imaging payloads.
- Coordinate and execute optical manufacturing activities, including metrology and alignment for telescope and sensor integration.
- Perform alignment and performance testing of imaging spectrometers, telescopes, and end-to-end instruments.
- Develop and analyze test plans and measured data for system calibration and alignment.
- Develop test software and electrical ground support equipment for characterization and automation of testing.
- Manage optomechanical manufacturing activities such as bonding and fixturing.
- Lead the design, manufacturing, testing, and operation of imaging payloads.
- Collaborate with external partners and provide technical oversight of vendors.
Requirements
- 6-8 years of total relevant experience, such as airborne or space-based imaging payloads, cameras, or telescopes.
- 3 years relevant experience in assembly, integration, alignment, and test of optical instruments, telescopes, and or optics in fields such as defense, aerospace, automotive, biomedical, or related.
- Experience leveraging scientific tools based in Zemax, MATLAB, Python and or C C to advance design maturity and analyze system performance.
- Hands-on, can-do attitude, great interpersonal skills, and ability to collaborate effectively.
- First hand experience working with external vendors, suppliers, and integrators.
- Experience in recording detailed and accurate test descriptions and data summaries.
- Experience in driving the definition and execution of Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
- Experience in manufacturing and production environments, including New Product Implementation (NPI).
- Practical experience troubleshooting and debugging complex systems.
- Educational background in Optical Engineering or equivalent experience.
- Application of knowledge to coordinate and execute key optical manufacturing activities, such as optical metrology and alignment activities for telescope and sensor integration and troubleshooting.
- Understanding and executing warm and cold alignment and performance testing of imaging spectrometers, telescopes, and end-to-end instruments.
- Ability to write test plans and perform analysis of measured data for alignment and calibration of imaging systems.
- Experience developing and expanding upon test software and electrical ground support equipment (GSE) for the characterization and automation of alignment and performance testing.
- Ability to coordinate and perform optomechanical manufacturing activities, such as bonding and fixturing.
- Experience organizing and participating in integration test activities in cleanroom environments.
- Providing technical oversight of external vendors.
- Experience with space flight program lifecycle stages including design, assembly, integration, testing, or flight operations of imaging or camera hardware.
Benefits & Perks
Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
Generous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off
16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Home Office Reimbursement
Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
Equity
Commuter Benefits if local to an office
Volunteering Paid Time Off
Salary range of 144,500 - 180,600 USD (plus potential bonuses and incentives)
Ready to Apply?
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