Opto-Mechanical Engineer

NextGenEnergyJobs; Canada; On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Generous Paid Time Off

Equity

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

NextGenEnergyJobs is seeking an Opto-Mechanical Engineer in San Francisco to lead the design of payloads for Earth-imaging satellites. This role involves working collaboratively with various engineering teams to ensure successful opto-mechanical designs and testing.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and 4+ years of experience in the development of high-reliability products in space environments. Competitive benefits include comprehensive health plans, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• 4+ years experience in opto-mechanical product development.
• Experience with optical assemblies in space environments.
• Practical experience from prototyping to production.

Responsibilities

• Drive design of payloads in Earth-imaging satellites.
• Lead optical system engineering efforts.
• Work with manufacturing teams on opto-mechanical design.

Skills

Opto-mechanical design

Analytical skills

Proficiency in SolidWorks

Experience in high-reliability space environments

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Zemax

Matlab

Python

C/C++

Job description

Planet designs, builds, and operates the largest constellation of imaging satellites in history.

Key Responsibilities

• The Electro-Optical Systems team at Planet is seeking an Opto-Mechanical Engineer to help drive the design of payloads in Planet’s fleet of Earth-imaging satellites. Your mission will be to champion our payload design efforts, with a specific focus on opto-mechanical design and manufacturing. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned opto-mechanical designer who has led optical system engineering efforts across multiple programs from conceptual design through flight. As a member of the Electro-Optical Systems team within Planet’s Space Systems division, you will be a key contributor and stakeholder in Planet’s agile aerospace approach to spacecraft design, and will work hand-in-glove with optical engineering, structural analysis, thermal engineering, and reliability & qualification, as well as the rest of Planet’s leading-edge spacecraft design and manufacturing teams.
• This is a full-time, in-office position based in our San Francisco HQ 5 days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years experience owning the development of opto-mechanical products from requirements through conceptual design, testing and manufacturing
• Experience designing for high-reliability space environments including launch survivability, vacuum conditions, on-orbit performance through thermal conditions (STOP)
• Experience in the design and fabrication of optical assemblies, incorporating components made from glass, carbon fiber, metals, ceramics, epoxies, as well as mechanisms and electrical elements
• Practical and direct engagement with hardware, from prototyping to production and testing phases
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience working in a dynamic environment while driving projects to completion
• Good verbal and visual communication skills
• Expertise in optics / opto-mechanical manufacturing, metrology, alignment and calibration
• Ability to build out the manufacturing line for precision optical systems
• Experience with dynamic hardware builds, vibration and shock testing, telescope assembly, and optical performance testing
• Experience applying systems engineering principles to optimize optical payload integration, focusing on requirements management, trade-off analysis, and balancing system-level constraints such as cost, schedule, and performance
• Ability to drive manufacturers and DFM/DFA
• Proficiency in SolidWorks, Zemax, Matlab, Visual Basic, Python and/or C/C++
• This position requires access to export-controlled information, and as such, employment (or hiring of a contractor) is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to access all applicable export-controlled information without additional export licensing being required by the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls.
• These offerings are dependent on employment type and geographical location, based upon applicable law or company policy.
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a company contribution
• Generous Paid Time Off in addition to holidays and company-wide days off
• 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Wellness Program and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Home Office Reimbursement
• Monthly Phone and Internet Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement and access to LinkedIn Learning
• Equity
• Commuter Benefits (if local to an office)