Optical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX
Redmond
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 105,000 - 175,000 annuallyFunction: OtherExperience: 2+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: []

Design, validate, and operate free-space optical communication systems for Starlink satellites. Apply optics and photonics to develop optical terminals, imaging products, and next-generation star tracking for precise navigation. Lead optical architecture through trades, risk-reduction testing, and verification (environmental qualification, reliability, fault injection). Define field testing, investigate anomalies, maintain link budgets, and collaborate across manufacturing, software/automation, and reliability teams.

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FursaFursa
SpaceX
SpaceX
1 month ago

Optical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

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

Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 10 hours agoStatus: Live
Reposted: similar role first listed 7 months ago

Job Summary

Design, validate, and operate free-space optical communication systems for Starlink satellites. Apply optics and photonics to develop optical terminals, imaging products, and next-generation star tracking for precise navigation. Lead optical architecture through trades, risk-reduction testing, and verification (environmental qualification, reliability, fault injection). Define field testing, investigate anomalies, maintain link budgets, and collaborate across manufacturing, software/automation, and reliability teams.
Location: Redmond
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Develop optical systems using optics and photonics, including design, analysis, and validation.
  • •Lead optical architecture definition via internal trade studies, concept of operations, and risk-reduction testing.
  • •Support verification testing (environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection).
  • •Define and lead field testing for optical experiments and laser communication systems.
  • •Interface with manufacturing/supply chain and collaborate with software/automation and reliability teams; review test data and lead anomaly investigations.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 105,000 - 175,000 annually
Perks:Health InsuranceVisionDental401kPaid ParentalLife InsuranceDisability InsurancePaid Leave

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor’s degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or another engineering/STEM discipline.
  • •2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or precision mechanical design/testing.
  • •1+ year of experience in a computer programming language (e.g., C++, MATLAB, and/or Python).
Experience:2+ years
Education:Bachelor's
Languages:English
Tech Stack:C++MATLABPythonZemaxLinux

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
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