Sr. Electrical Engineer, Photonics at Observable Space · LumiJobs

Responsibilities

As an Electrical Engineer, Photonics, you will work across our full product line, from ground-based telescopes to on-orbit optical payloads. You will design, integrate, and validate photonic and electro-optical systems that enable high-performance sensing, imaging, and data acquisition in both terrestrial and space environments.
This role sits at the intersection of electronics, optics, and physics. You will own the electrical design and integration of optical sensors, detectors, laser-based systems, and high-speed signal chains, ensuring performance is maintained through challenging conditions including thermal extremes, vacuum, radiation, and long-duration autonomous operation. You will work closely with optical, mechanical, and software teams to deliver tightly integrated systems.
Design and develop electrical systems for photonic and electro-optical subsystems, including detectors, sensors, laser interfaces, and high-speed data acquisition chains.
Own schematic capture, PCB design, and bring-up for low-noise analog and mixed-signal circuits supporting optical instrumentation.
Develop and optimize signal chains for photodetectors (e.g., CMOS, CCD, APD, SPAD), including amplification, filtering, digitization, and noise mitigation.
Design for signal integrity and low-noise performance in high-sensitivity optical systems, including grounding, shielding, and layout strategies.
Bring up and validate high-speed interfaces such as MIPI, LVDS, JESD, or similar data links used in imaging and sensor systems.
Collaborate with optical engineers to define electrical interfaces, alignment sensitivities, and performance requirements across optomechanical assemblies.
Support integration and test of electro-optical systems, including lab characterization, calibration, and debugging of edge-case behaviors.
Develop and execute validation and qualification plans for hardware operating in harsh environments, including thermal-vacuum and vibration conditions.
Select components and materials compatible with space and high-reliability applications, including consideration of radiation effects, thermal drift, and long-term stability.
Contribute to system architecture decisions that balance performance, power, bandwidth, and reliability across the full product stack.

Sr. Electrical Engineer, Photonics

Responsibilities

Qualification

Preferred

Benefits

Company

Observable Space

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