Sr. Optical Engineer (Starfall)

SpaceX
United States
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 165,000 - 230,000 annuallyFunction: Hardware, Embedded & Systems EngineeringExperience: 5+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Mentoring","Technical communication","Risk assessment","Anomaly investigation","Autonomous work","Written and verbal communication"]

Own free-space optical system design, validation, and operation for a navigation sensor combining visible camera and infrared sensing. Drive system-level architecture and optics/photonic development, including detectors, circuit boards, precision mechanisms, and mechanical enclosures for high-volume manufacturing. Lead trade studies and concept of operations, perform verification and environmental qualification, troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies, and guide field testing. Mentor engineers and partner with software, automation, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.

Loading

Loading job details...

Preparing the role view and application actions.

FursaFursa
SpaceX
SpaceX
2 days ago

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starfall)

✓ Verified Job

Canonical indexed version, validated from employer's careers page.

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 7 hours agoStatus: Live

Job Summary

Own free-space optical system design, validation, and operation for a navigation sensor combining visible camera and infrared sensing. Drive system-level architecture and optics/photonic development, including detectors, circuit boards, precision mechanisms, and mechanical enclosures for high-volume manufacturing. Lead trade studies and concept of operations, perform verification and environmental qualification, troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies, and guide field testing. Mentor engineers and partner with software, automation, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
Location: United States
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Hardware, Embedded & Systems Engineering
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Drive product vision and system-level architecture for a visible-camera and IR navigation sensor.
  • •Apply optics and photonics knowledge across optical system development, design analysis, and validation.
  • •Lead optical architecture through trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk-reduction testing.
  • •Perform verification testing and oversee environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability, and fault-injection testing, including field testing.
  • •Mentor engineers and coordinate with manufacturing, supply chain, software, and automation teams to enable high-volume production and automated optical/IR testing protocols.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 165,000 - 230,000 annually
Equity and Bonus:Equity
Perks:Health InsuranceVisionDental401kLife InsurancePaid ParentalPaid LeaveLong-term Disability

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline.
  • •5+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design or testing.
  • •5+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g., C++, MATLAB, and/or Python).
  • •Demonstrated ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data.
  • •Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding environment.
Experience:5+ yearsOpticsPhotonicsImagingInfrared sensing
Education:Bachelor's in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
Skills:MentoringTechnical communicationRisk assessmentAnomaly investigationAutonomous workWritten and verbal communication
Tech Stack:C++MATLABPythonZemaxLinuxPython scriptingOptical test equipmentPower metersInterferometerCamerasInterferometryInfrared system alignmentOptical analysis toolsFPGAsEthernetSERDESDRAMDDR4I2CSPI

Eligibility

Nationality:US National

Company Brief

SpaceX
Designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft for commercial and government customers, aiming to reduce space transportation costs and enable human life on Mars through reusable launch vehicles and integrated space systems.
Industry: Aerospace Manufacturing
Company Size: Enterprise (1,001+ employees)
Growth: Established Company
Valuation: Hectocorn (USD 100B+)
Funding: Series E+
Headquarters: Hawthorne, United States
Founded: 2002
Glassdoor
Glassdoor: 4.2
WebsiteLinkedIn