Optical Engineer III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 152,880 - 188,448; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plan

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena seeks an Optical Engineer III to design and analyze telescopes, cameras, and imaging spectrometers. You will contribute to tolerancing and alignment, supporting advanced optical instruments for planetary probes and remote sensing systems.

Ideal candidates have strong optics background, experience with CODE V/Zemax, and excellent communication. The role is based on site in Pasadena with a competitive benefits package and opportunities to advance within

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering with minimum 6 years of related experience, or Master's with 4 years, or PhD with 2 years.
• Experience ray tracing in CODE V or Zemax.
• Practical experience in hardware integration, optical alignment, or state-of-the-art measurement techniques.
• Demonstrated ability in written and verbal communication including presenting science, engineering, and project results.
• Demonstrated ability to interact cooperatively with co-workers.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze telescopes, cameras, and imaging spectrometers.
• Participate in tolerancing, analyzing, and aligning novel telescopes, spectrometers, and cameras.
• Support development of optical instruments within the Optical Engineering group.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Optical engineering experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optics/Physics/EE

Master's degree in related discipline

PhD in related discipline

Tools

CODE V

Zemax

Python

MATLAB

Job description

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Responsibilities

The Instruments and Communications Division is known for the development and infusion of technologies that enable advanced flight sensors, instruments, and deep space communications. Our expertise spans the entire electromagnetic spectrum — from Radio Frequency (RF) through ultraviolet (UV). Our product line ranges from quantum technology and flight systems, imaging spectrometers, microwave radiometers, scientific radars, mass spectrometers and other in situ instruments, ground and space-based RF and optical systems, and innovative sensors. We create novel material systems and fabrication techniques that unlock new concepts and mission architecture. We pioneer deep space communication theory, implement advanced communication systems, and develop navigational tracking to understand where we are and how to ensure robust engineering and science data return.

The Optics & Spectroscopy Section provides world‑leading capability and expertise in a wide range of technologies that are critical to the development of optical instruments. Section leadership and expertise are specifically applied to the development of advanced ground and space‑based optical systems in the following areas: research and development of optics‑related technologies; system architecture and concept definition; detailed optical system design, opto‑mechanical design, analysis and implementation; and alignment, test and calibration of optical instruments and systems.

We invite you to join the Optical Engineering group to serve as an Optical Engineer III. You will be reporting administratively to the Group Supervisor of the Group. The 364C Optical Engineering Group specializes in designing and developing optical systems for planetary probes and instruments, earth observing remote sensing systems, and in situ sensing systems (telescopes, cameras, and spectrometers).

We seek an engineer to support development for various optical instruments being built within Section. The position is for an optical engineer in the Optical Engineering group. The optical engineer will contribute to the design and analysis of telescopes, cameras, and imaging spectrometers. They will participate in tolerancing, analyzing, and aligning novel telescopes, spectrometers, and cameras.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering with a minimum of 6 years of related experience, or Master’s degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of related experience, or PhD in a related discipline with a minimum of 2 years of related experience.
• Experience ray tracing in CODE V or Zemax.
• Practical experience in hardware integration, optical alignment, or state‑of‑the‑art measurement techniques.
• Demonstrated ability in written and verbal communication including presenting science, engineering, and project results.
• Demonstrated ability to interact cooperatively with co‑workers.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with space optics.
• Experience making optical error budgets.
• Experience managing contracts and hardware procurement involving industrial vendors.
• Experience post‑processing results from CODE V or Zemax using CODE V macro language, ZPL, Python, and/or Matlab.
• Experience in specialized optical modeling such as thin film design, lens design, polarization optics, or straylight.
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work‑life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks.

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$152,880 - $188,448

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.