Optical Alignment Engineer for Space Sensor Systems

Space Dynamics Laboratory; Logan (UT); On-site; USD 82,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Space Dynamics Laboratory is seeking a mid‑level Optical Alignment Engineer to join our Civil & Commercial Space Division in Logan, Utah. You will help develop UV to IR space sensor systems and perform alignment, testing, and integration activities with a broad team of engineers.

The role emphasizes optical design support, error budgeting, and hands‑on metrology tools such as interferometers, CGHs, and laser trackers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in optical sciences or related field and 2+ years of relevant full‑time work experience or an advanced degree with 0+ years of experience.
• Experience performing optical alignment of UV/EO/IR imaging or non-imaging systems including all optical elements (mirrors, lenses, filters, gratings, baffles, stops, detectors).
• Experience with optical image quality test methods including WFE, line of sight alignment, PSF, focus, vignetting.
• Experience writing optical alignment plans/procedures.
• Experience with optical alignment and metrology equipment such as interferometers, CGHs, laser trackers, theodolites, etc.

Responsibilities

• Conducts trade studies and engineering analyses of optical alignment.
• Supports optical design with alignment and manufacturing error budgeting methods.
• Performs optical alignment of UV/EO/IR imaging and non-imaging systems including all optical elements.
• Performs optical testing including WFE, line of sight alignment, PSF, focus, vignetting.
• Writes optical integration plans/procedures.
• Supports system‑level planning, testing, and verification/calibration.
• Vendor sub‑contract management including lens and mirror fabrication and optical coatings.
• Mentors optical engineers and may lead design reviews and proposal efforts.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Technical problem solving

Team leadership

Mentoring engineers

Multi-priority management

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in optical sciences/optical engineering/optomechanical engineering/engineering physics/applied physics

Tools

Optical design software (Zemax/CODE V/FRED)

Interferometers

CGHs

Laser trackers

Theodolites

Optical metrology equipment

Job description

Space Dynamics Laboratory is seeking a mid‑level Optical Alignment Engineer to join our Civil & Commercial Space Division in Logan, Utah. You will help develop UV to IR space sensor systems and perform alignment, testing, and integration activities with a broad team of engineers.

The role emphasizes optical design support, error budgeting, and hands‑on metrology tools such as interferometers, CGHs, and laser trackers.