Optical Engineer (Starshield)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corp) is seeking an Optical Engineer (Starshield) in Hawthorne, CA. The role focuses on developing free-space optical communication systems and imaging payloads for Starshield, leveraging Starlink technology for government use and national security applications.

You will design, validate, and operate optical systems, including laser communication terminals, with emphasis on reliability and mission-critical performance.

Responsibilities

• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
• Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
• Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions
• Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing
• Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
• Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems
• Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
• Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
• Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
• Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical testing
• Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors

Skills

Optical design

Photonics

Free-space optics

Laser communications

Systems engineering

Risk reduction

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

The SpaceX satellite engineering teams develop, produce, and deploy the most cutting-edge satellite free-space optical communication systems and observation payloads in the world. We are looking for engineers to contribute to the development of laser communications terminals and imaging products for the groundbreaking constellation of Starshield satellites. All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a blend of theoretical expertise, practical implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained systems.

As a Starshield optical engineer, you will be responsible for free-space optical system design, validation, and operation. You will shape the future of laser communication systems and directly contribute to mission-critical applications such as next‑generation star tracking system for precise navigation in space environments.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
• Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
• Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions
• Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing
• Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
• Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems
• Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
• Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
• Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
• Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical testing
• Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors