Optical Systems Engineer, Free‑Space Navigation

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision, dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Engineer to own free-space optical system design for a navigation sensor blending a visible camera and IR sensing. You will lead optics, detectors, and electronics, validating assemblies and driving trades across multiple disciplines for high-volume production.

The role requires hands-on experience in optics, imaging, and software (C++, Python, MATLAB) and a track record with precision hardware in challenging environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design or testing.
• 1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python).

Responsibilities

• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation of visible-camera and IR sensor architectures
• Define requirements for high-performance optical/IR navigation sensors in challenging environmental conditions
• Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk-reduction testing
• Drive detailed trades across optical, IR, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing constraints for high-volume production
• Design next-generation optical/IR sensor hardware for high-rate manufacturing
• Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
• Perform verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault-injection testing
• Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and navigation sensor systems
• Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
• Maintain performance budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
• Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical/IR testing

Skills

Optical design

Python

C++

MATLAB

Photonics

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering or physics

Master’s or PhD (preferred)

Tools

Zemax

FPGAs

Ethernet

Job description

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Engineer to own free-space optical system design for a navigation sensor blending a visible camera and IR sensing. You will lead optics, detectors, and electronics, validating assemblies and driving trades across multiple disciplines for high-volume production.

The role requires hands-on experience in optics, imaging, and software (C++, Python, MATLAB) and a track record with precision hardware in challenging environments.