Electrical Engineer, Photonics

Observable Space; Adrian, Los Angeles (MI, CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Compensation

Equity Opportunities

Flexible Work Environment

Unlimited PTO

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Access to cutting-edge tools

Mission-driven culture

Inclusive team environment

Job summary

A leading space technology company in Michigan seeks an experienced Electrical Engineer specializing in photonics. This role involves designing and integrating photonic and electro-optical systems for ground-based and space environments. Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in electrical engineering with a strong proficiency in circuit design and signal integrity. The position offers a hybrid work model and competitive compensation, catering to those passionate about advancing technology in space.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering focused on photonics.
• Strong proficiency in low-noise/high-speed applications.
• Hands-on experience with photodetectors and imaging sensors.
• Strong proficiency in analog and mixed-signal circuit design, particularly for low-noise and high-speed applications.
• Experience designing and debugging PCBs, including schematic capture, layout collaboration, and board bring-up.
• Hands-on experience with photodetectors, imaging sensors, or optical instrumentation and their signal chains.
• Familiarity with high-speed interfaces and data acquisition systems used in imaging or sensing applications.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, grounding, shielding, and power distribution in sensitive systems.
• Experience using lab instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators to debug complex systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical systems for photonic and electro-optical subsystems.
• Ownership of schematic capture and PCB design.
• Collaborate with optical engineers to define electrical interfaces.
• 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.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure manufacturability, testability, and long‑term serviceability of photonic systems.

Skills

Analog and mixed-signal circuit design

Signal integrity and noise analysis

Electrical design and integration

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Working in fast-paced environments

Lab instrumentation (OSCs, spectrum)

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Lab instrumentation (oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers)

PCB layout software

Job description

From telescopes to software architecture, Observable Space provides the foundational elements every organization needs to operate in space. Observable Space is unlocking continuous, real-time observations of space with the industry’s first line of vertically integrated hardware and software products. The company is a leader in advanced telescope design and manufacturing in the US. Every product is part of a robust developer platform for space data applications. Observable Space’s full line of products serves all sectors of the space industry including commercial, science, education, and government customers, as well as astronomy enthusiasts discovering the cosmos.

Observable Space is backed by top institutional investors–Upfront Ventures, Oceans Ventures, Venrex, Marlinspike Partners, and Embedded Ventures.

Role Summary

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.
• Participate in design reviews to ensure manufacturability, testability, and long‑term serviceability of photonic systems.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering with a focus on photonics, electro‑optical systems, or high‑performance sensor design.
• Strong proficiency in analog and mixed‑signal circuit design, particularly for low‑noise and high‑speed applications.
• Experience designing and debugging PCBs, including schematic capture, layout collaboration, and board bring‑up.
• Hands‑on experience with photodetectors, imaging sensors, or optical instrumentation and their associated signal chains.
• Familiarity with high‑speed interfaces and data acquisition systems used in imaging or sensing applications.
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, noise analysis, grounding, shielding, and power distribution in sensitive systems.
• Experience using lab instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators to debug complex systems.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, debug at the electrical level, and work closely with cross‑functional teams.
• Comfortable working in fast‑paced, iterative hardware environments with rapid design‑build‑test cycles.
• Strong product mindset with an emphasis on reliability, robustness, and performance in real‑world conditions.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with space‑based or aerospace electro‑optical systems, including radiation‑aware design considerations.
• Familiarity with laser systems, optical communications, or lidar‑related technologies.
• Experience with FPGA‑based data acquisition or high‑throughput signal processing pipelines.
• Experience with camera systems, image sensors, and end‑to‑end imaging pipelines.
• Exposure to optomechanical integration and alignment‑sensitive system design.
• Experience with hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing or automated lab infrastructure.
• Background in astronomy, astrophysics, or scientific instrumentation.
• Passion for building systems that expand our understanding of space and the physical world.

What We Offer

• Competitive Compensation – A salary package aligned with industry standards and your experience.
• Equity Opportunities – Take part in our success with stock options.
• Flexible Work Environment – Enjoy working from our office or in a hybrid work setup with the flexibility to work remotely part of the week. We require a minimum of 3 days per week in our office to support collaboration and team culture. (LA Office only)
• Unlimited PTO – Take the time you need with our flexible, trust‑based vacation policy, including paid holidays. We encourage everyone to rest, recharge, and take care of themselves.
• Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of the premium paid by the employer for employees.
• Cutting‑Edge Tools – Get access to the latest hardware and software you need to do your best work.
• Mission‑Driven Culture – Be part of a team working on meaningful challenges with real‑world impact.
• Inclusive Team – We foster a supportive and diverse workplace where all voices are valued.

Observable Space is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.