Optical Engineer, Free-Space Laser Communications

SpaceX; Redmond; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive benefits

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an optical engineer to design, validate, and operate free-space optical systems for Starlink laser communications. You will shape the evolution of laser communication and imaging products for space environments, leading architecture and verification efforts.

The role requires strong optics expertise, hands-on testing, and collaboration with manufacturing, software, and reliability teams. SpaceX offers competitive compensation and extensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years hands-on experience in optics, photonics, laser tech, or precision mechanical design/testing.
• 1+ year experience in a programming language (C++, MATLAB, Python).

Responsibilities

• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, design, analysis, and validation.
• Define requirements for high‑performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions.
• Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies and risk reduction testing.
• Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification and performance characterization.
• Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data.
• Interface with manufacturing and supply chain to ensure designs are manufacturable; collaborate with software teams for automated testing.
• Represent laser communications systems in reliability and risk discussions with internal teams and vendors.

Skills

Optics

Photonic systems

C++

MATLAB

Python

Education

Bachelor's in physics, electrical engineering, or related

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

Zemax

Interferometer

Laser sources

Job description

SpaceX is seeking an optical engineer to design, validate, and operate free-space optical systems for Starlink laser communications. You will shape the evolution of laser communication and imaging products for space environments, leading architecture and verification efforts.

The role requires strong optics expertise, hands-on testing, and collaboration with manufacturing, software, and reliability teams. SpaceX offers competitive compensation and extensive benefits.