Optical Systems Engineer – Laser Communications

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 (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.