Optical Systems Engineer: Satellite Laser Communications

SpaceX_Global; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options and bonuses

Health, vision, and dental coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Engineer for Satellites (Starlink) to develop and validate free-space optical communication systems and imaging products for the Starlink constellation. You will design, qualify, and operate laser communication terminals in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include leading optical architecture, field testing, and data analysis while collaborating with software, manufacturing, and reliability teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or other engineering/STEM discipline.
• 2+ years of hands-on optics/photonics/laser technology experience.
• 1+ years of programming in C++, MATLAB, or Python.

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

Optics

Laser technology

Python scripting

C++

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, or related

Tools

Zemax

Power meters

Job description

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Engineer for Satellites (Starlink) to develop and validate free-space optical communication systems and imaging products for the Starlink constellation. You will design, qualify, and operate laser communication terminals in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities include leading optical architecture, field testing, and data analysis while collaborating with software, manufacturing, and reliability teams.