Optical Engineer (Starshield)
$105,000–$140,000 year
On-siteHawthorne, California, United States
Job Summary
Design, analyze, and validate free-space optical systems for laser communication terminals and imaging products on the Starshield constellation. Lead optical architecture definition through trade studies, concept of operations, and risk reduction testing while defining requirements for high-performance systems in challenging environments. Execute verification testing including environmental qualification, performance characterization, and fault injection, then review data to lead anomaly investigations. Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and maintain link budgets and design specifications. Interface with manufacturing, supply chain, software, and reliability teams to ensure design manufacturability and system risk mitigation.
Required Qualifications
- 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
- 1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)
- Working extended hours and weekends as needed
- Active clearance (subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing)
Desired Qualifications
- 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
- Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
- Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking
- Knowledge of and experience in atmospheric optical effects
- Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
- Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
- Competence with optical test equipment (power meters, interferometer, laser sources)
- Experience with infrared system alignment and characterization
- Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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