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Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer

Planet
San Francisco, California
Full Time
Posted December 10, 2025
$145k - $181k
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Job Description

The Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing and scaling high-precision optical assembly, integration, and testing processes for satellite optical payloads, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturability and quality in a cleanroom environment.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and scale assembly, integration, and test operations for satellite optical payloads
  • Establish high-precision manufacturing processes for optical telescope components
  • Translate optical telescope designs into sustainable, high-yield production environments
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create assembly procedures and work instructions
  • Design and develop mechanical and electrical tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment
  • Analyze measured data for alignment, calibration, and characterization of imaging systems
  • Drive resolution of non-conformances and implement corrective actions
  • Provide design for manufacturability and assembly feedback to design teams
  • Oversee external vendors and suppliers involved in optical component manufacturing
  • Train optical production technicians and support transition from R&D to production

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
  • 6 years of total relevant experience, of which 3 years directly in the assembly, integration, alignment, and test of complex optical instruments, telescopes, or space-based imaging payloads
  • Hands-on experience with complex optomechanical assembly, alignment, integration, and bonding in a cleanroom environment
  • Experience leveraging technical software for design and analysis such as Zemax, MATLAB, Python, and/or C
  • Expertise in reading technical drawings and using SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software to develop tooling and fixtures
  • Experience defining and implementing manufacturing processes in a production environment, including New Product Introduction (NPI)
  • Excellent attention to detail and technical writing skills for creating detailed and accurate procedures, test plans, and data summaries
  • Application for access to export-controlled information, with the ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls

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
Discretionary short-term and long-term incentives bonus and equity
Salary range: $144,500 - $180,600 USD (dependent on experience, skills, location)

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