Optical Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX
California
Workplace: OnsiteFull timeUSD 105,000 - 170,000 annuallyFunction: Hardware, Embedded & Systems EngineeringExperience: 2+ yearsEducation: bachelorsSkills: ["Written and verbal communication","Risk assessment","Autonomous work","Fast-paced execution","Anomaly investigation"]

Design, analyze, and validate free-space optical communication systems for Starshield, including laser communication terminals and imaging payloads. Lead optical architecture trades, define requirements for high-performance operation in harsh environments, and drive verification and reliability testing such as environmental qualification and fault injection. Collaborate across programs, manufacturing, software/automation, and reliability teams while maintaining link budgets and investigating test anomalies.

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FursaFursa
SpaceX
SpaceX
4 days ago

Optical Engineer (Starshield)

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Source: Company careers pageValidated by: Fursa AI
Last checked: 2 hours agoStatus: Live
Reposted: similar role first listed 6 months ago

Job Summary

Design, analyze, and validate free-space optical communication systems for Starshield, including laser communication terminals and imaging payloads. Lead optical architecture trades, define requirements for high-performance operation in harsh environments, and drive verification and reliability testing such as environmental qualification and fault injection. Collaborate across programs, manufacturing, software/automation, and reliability teams while maintaining link budgets and investigating test anomalies.
Location: California
Workplace: Onsite
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: Hardware, Embedded & Systems Engineering
Seniority: Mid level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation.
  • •Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations, and risk reduction testing.
  • •Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing.
  • •Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems; review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution.
  • •Interface with manufacturing/supply chain and collaborate with software/automation teams to enable manufacturable designs and automated optical testing tools and protocols.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 105,000 - 170,000 annually
Perks:Health InsuranceVisionDental401k

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or another engineering/STEM discipline.
  • •2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or electrical/mechanical design or testing.
  • •1+ year of experience in a computer programming language (e.g., C++, MATLAB, and/or Python).
  • •Ability to define high-performant optical system requirements for challenging environmental conditions.
  • •Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven environment.
Experience:2+ years
Education:Bachelor's
Skills:Written and verbal communicationRisk assessmentAutonomous workFast-paced executionAnomaly investigation
Tech Stack:C++MATLABPythonZemaxOptical analysis toolsFPGAsEthernetSERDESDDR4I2CSPIOperational amplifiersAnalog to digital convertersDigital to analog convertersPower supply componentsPython scriptingLinuxOptical test equipmentInterferometerPower meters

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
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