Optical Engineer

SoloPoint Solutions; California (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SoloPoint Solutions seeks an experienced optical engineer to define and flow down mission-level optical requirements into camera specs and to deliver conceptual and detailed flight optical designs. The role includes developing calibration plans and managing subcontractors through optical processing and assembly.

The ideal candidate has 8–10 years in space-based optical systems, expertise in athermalization and STOP analysis, and strong communication skills to interact with customers and teams.

Qualifications

• 8 to 10 years of relevant space-based optical systems experience
• Experience in flight camera optics design and STOP analysis
• Extensive use of ZEMAX optical design software
• Proven ability to translate mission requirements into optical specs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Define and flow down mission-level optical requirements into camera specs
• Produce conceptual and detailed flight optical designs
• Develop calibration and metrology plans to verify optical performance
• Create performance specs and statements of work for optical subcontractors
• Support program execution through design reviews and cross-functional collaboration

Skills

Optical design

Athermalization

Stray light control

Calibration & metrology

Communication skills

Education

BSc in Electrical Engineering

BSc in Mechanical Engineering

BSc in Physics

Masters or PhD preferred

Tools

ZEMAX

Wavefront measurement

Job description

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics (Master’s or PhD preferred).
• 8 to 10 years of relevant experience in space-based optical systems, aerospace instrumentation, or closely related optical camera system development.
• Extensive experience using ZEMAX optical design software.
• Optical design and verification for flight camera optics, including athermalization, stray light minimization, and Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) analysis.
• Demonstrated experience with Conceptual and detailed flight optical designs, including athermalization strategies, stray light control, and STOP analysis to support performance and environment requirements.
• Optical calibration and metrology expertise, including focus/MTF, radiometry and spectral response, distortion/camera models, and boresight alignment.
• Experience with optics assembly techniques for space-based optical systems.
• Experience with radiation-hardened optical design, collimation measurement techniques, and laser interferometric wavefront error measurement.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical discussions with peers, management, and customer representatives.

Responsibilities:

• Define and flow down mission-level optical requirements into camera optical system specifications and verification approaches.
• Produce conceptual and detailed flight optical designs, including athermalization strategies, stray light control, and STOP analysis to support performance and environment requirements.
• Develop and execute calibration and metrology plans to verify optical performance, including focus/MTF, radiometric and spectral response, distortion/camera models, and boresight alignment.
• Create performance specifications and statements of work for optical subcontracts; manage subcontractors for optical processing, fabrication, coatings, assembly, and delivery through lifecycle needs such as glass availability.
• Support program execution through design reviews, cross‑functional collaboration with project management and systems engineering, and required ESD... ...