Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CAfull time

On Site

entry

$105k–$140k

H1B: no

SpaceX The Optical Engineer (Starshield) at SpaceX develops and validates free-space optical communication systems and imaging products for national security satellite applications. The role includes optical system design, testing, and collaboration with manufacturing and software teams.

Responsibilities

Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions
Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, 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
Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical testing
Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors

Qualification

Experience with mixed-signal circuitsKnowledge of and experience in lasers

Required

Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering/STEM discipline
2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or electrical/mechanical design or testing (university lab, student project, or internship experience qualifies)
1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)

Preferred

Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax
Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of laser communication systems
Experience with mixed-signal circuits, processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, and power supply components
Opto-mechanical design and analysis experience with precision mounting and steering mechanisms
Knowledge of and experience in lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles
Knowledge of and experience in free-space optical principles, optical component testing/troubleshooting techniques, precision metrology techniques, manufacturing and integration processes
Experience leading development of commercial communications products

Benefits

Dental
Vision
401(k)
Parental Leave
Life Insurance

Company

SpaceX

View company page

Source: greenhouse

Active within the past hour

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