Electro-Optical Engineer II

True Anomaly; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health, Dental, Vision benefits

401(k)

Parental Leave

PTO

Job summary

True Anomaly in Denver is looking for a motivated Electro-Optical Engineer II to design and analyze advanced imaging systems for spacecraft. This role involves supporting hardware throughout its lifecycle and requires a strong foundation in optics and imaging science.

Qualified candidates should have 2–4 years of relevant experience and proficiency in MATLAB or Python. The position offers equity, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of professional experience in optical systems engineering or related fields.
• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python for engineering analysis.
• Strong understanding of optical and imaging physics.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze imaging systems for space-based applications.
• Develop performance models and support hardware characterization.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Skills

Optical system modeling

Imaging science

Programming in MATLAB or Python

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Optics, Imaging Science, or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Zemax/OpticStudio

FRED

CODE V

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
• What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
• It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking a motivated and technically curious Electro-Optical Engineer II to contribute to the design, analysis, and characterization of advanced imaging and sensing payloads for our spacecraft programs. In this role, you will support optical system development across the full hardware lifecycle — from performance modeling and specification development through bench‑level testing and hardware characterization — working alongside experienced engineers on a team that ships hardware to space. You bring solid fundamentals in optics, imaging science, or physics, a hands‑on mindset, and the eagerness to grow your skills in a fast‑paced, mission‑critical environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, model, and analyze imaging systems for space‑based payload applications, from concept through fielding.
• Develop and maintain end‑to‑end imaging system performance models, including radiometric, signal chain, and image quality analyses.
• Support and execute hardware characterization and metrology activities, including bench‑level testing of optical assemblies, detectors, and sensors.
• Author and maintain optical and imaging system specifications, interface requirements, and test plans.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams to ensure imaging system requirements are properly flowed down and verified.
• Support design reviews, presenting optical system performance analyses and test results to internal and customer audiences.
• Identify and track imaging system performance risks, driving analysis and mitigation efforts in coordination with the broader Payloads team.
• Contribute to the development of ground support equipment and test infrastructure for optical payload characterization.
• Apply programming skills (MATLAB, Python, or equivalent) to develop and maintain analysis tools, data reduction pipelines, and simulation frameworks.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Optics, Imaging Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field (Master’s preferred).
• 2–4 years of professional experience in optical systems engineering, imaging system development, or a related technical role.
• Demonstrated experience with optical system modeling, analysis, or characterization.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or a comparable programming language for engineering analysis and data processing.
• Strong fundamentals in optics, radiometry, and imaging physics with the ability to engage credibly across multi‑discipline hardware teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience with radiometric budgeting and end‑to‑end signal chain performance analysis for imaging systems.
• Experience working on space applications, including space‑based imaging or remote sensing payloads.
• Hands‑on experience with imaging system metrology, including optical bench testing, detector characterization, and image quality measurement.
• Familiarity with stray light analysis, wavefront error budgeting, or optical tolerance analysis tools (e.g., Zemax/OpticStudio, FRED, CODE V).
• Familiarity with electro‑optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems.
• Experience with image processing algorithms and pipeline development.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting.

COMPENSATION

• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401(k), Parental Leave.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location — this role will be onsite at our Centennial, CO location.
• Work environment — the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands — the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please let us know.