Optical Engineer III – Space Optics & Instruments

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

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