Optical Engineer III

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 152,880 - 188,448; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks an Optical Engineer III to design and analyze optical systems for planetary probes and remote sensing instruments. The role covers telescopes, cameras, and imaging spectrometers, with emphasis on optical performance, tolerancing, alignment, and integration.

You will contribute to the development of multiple instruments within the Optical Engineering Group, collaborating across teams and leveraging CODE V or Zemax, Python, and Matlab for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering with 6+ years of related experience, or Master’s with 4+ years, or PhD with 2+ years.
• Experience in ray tracing with CODE V or Zemax.
• Practical experience in hardware integration, optical alignment, or advanced measurement techniques.
• Strong written and verbal communication, and cooperative teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze telescopes, cameras, and imaging spectrometers.
• Tolerancing, analysis, and alignment of optical instruments.
• Support development of optical instruments within the section.
• Work within the 364C Optical Engineering Group.

Skills

Ray tracing with CODE V or Zemax

Optical alignment

Hardware integration

Communication skills

Team collaboration

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in a related discipline

PhD in a related discipline

Tools

CODE V

Zemax

CODE V macro language

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Job Overview

Optical Engineer III – Optical Engineering Group, Instruments & Communications Division, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, California. Responsible for designing and analyzing optical systems for planetary probes, earth observing remote sensing, and in situ sensing instruments.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and analysis of telescopes, cameras, and imaging spectrometers.
• Participate in tolerancing, analysis, and alignment of novel telescopes, spectrometers, and cameras.
• Support the development of various optical instruments within the section.
• Work within the 364C Optical Engineering Group.

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 in ray tracing with 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 scientific, engineering, and project results.
• Demonstrated ability to interact cooperatively with co‑workers.
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

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.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans.
• Paid time off, learning opportunities, rideshare, childcare support.
• Flexible schedule and parental leave.
• Additional benefits as per JPL catalog.

Salary Range

$152,880 - $188,448

EEO Statement

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. JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. EEO is the Law. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. 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).