Optical Engineer (Starfall)

SpaceX
United States
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 135,000 - 170,000 annuallyFunction: Hardware, Embedded & Systems EngineeringExperience: 2+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Communication","Risk assessment","Autonomous execution","Problem-solving","Collaboration"]

Own the end-to-end design, validation, and operation of a free-space optical navigation sensor combining a visible camera and infrared sensing. Lead optical architecture and detailed trades across optics, IR, mechanics, electronics, and manufacturability for high-rate production in harsh space environments. Perform verification and field testing, troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies, and partner with software and automation teams to enable automated optical/IR testing tools and protocols.

Loading

Loading job details...

Preparing the role view and application actions.

FursaFursa
SpaceX
SpaceX
2 days ago

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 the end-to-end design, validation, and operation of a free-space optical navigation sensor combining a visible camera and infrared sensing. Lead optical architecture and detailed trades across optics, IR, mechanics, electronics, and manufacturability for high-rate production in harsh space environments. Perform verification and field testing, troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies, and partner with software and automation teams to enable automated optical/IR testing tools and protocols.
Location: United States
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Hardware, Embedded & Systems Engineering
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Design, analyze, and validate visible-camera and IR sensor architectures for navigation sensors.
  • •Define requirements and lead optical architecture through trade studies, concept of operations, and risk-reduction testing.
  • •Drive detailed cross-discipline trades across optical, IR, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing constraints for high-volume production.
  • •Design next-generation optical/IR hardware and interface with manufacturing and supply chain to support producibility.
  • •Conduct verification, environmental and performance testing, lead anomaly investigation, and define/lead field testing of optical experiments and sensor systems.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 135,000 - 170,000 annually
Equity and Bonus:Equity
Perks:Health InsuranceVisionDental401kPaid ParentalPaid LeaveLife InsuranceLong-term DisabilityEquityPaid Holidays

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline.
  • •2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design or testing.
  • •1+ years of experience in a computer programming language such as C++, MATLAB, and/or Python.
  • •Ability to apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system design, analysis, and validation.
  • •Experience supporting electronic/optical assembly troubleshooting and design-for-high-rate manufacturing constraints.
Experience:2+ yearsImagingInfrared sensingOpticsPhotonicsManufacturing
Education:Bachelor's in Optical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
Skills:CommunicationRisk assessmentAutonomous executionProblem-solvingCollaboration
Tech Stack:C++MATLABPythonZemaxFPGAsEthernetSERDESDRAM interfacesDDR4I2CSPIOperational amplifiersAnalog-to-digital convertersDigital-to-analog convertersPower supplyLinuxPython scriptingInterferometerPower metersPrecision metrology

Eligibility

Nationality:US National
Work Authorization:Authorization required. Sponsorship not provided.

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