Optical Test Engineer for Spaceborne AI Satellites

InvestedintheMission; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Test Engineer to design, build, and operate optical metrology systems for flight hardware validation. You will automate test procedures and data collection, and collaborate with design and production teams to ensure testability and reliability.

The role requires hands-on optics experience, proficiency with ZEMAX, and programming skills in Python/C/C++. Occasional extended hours may be needed in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years hands‑on laboratory or work experience in optics/photonics/laser tech.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate optical metrology and test systems.
• Use test data to troubleshoot optical flight hardware.
• Automate optical test equipment and data collection.
• Train technicians on operation of test equipment.
• Inform designs to enable efficient test operations.
• Apply optics knowledge to laser communication system trades and validation.
• Participate in validation testing and reliability testing.
• Develop test plans and maintain specs and capabilities data.
• Design test fixtures for engineering and production tests.
• Develop production procedures and manage transition to high-rate production.
• Execute design for manufacturability changes.

Skills

Optical metrology

ZEMAX

Lasers/photodiodes

Fiber optics

Digital test protocols

Python/C/C++

Test automation

CAD (basic)

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics or engineering

2+ years optics/photonics experience

Tools

Power meters

Interferometers

Laser sources

Job description

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Test Engineer to design, build, and operate optical metrology systems for flight hardware validation. You will automate test procedures and data collection, and collaborate with design and production teams to ensure testability and reliability.

The role requires hands-on optics experience, proficiency with ZEMAX, and programming skills in Python/C/C++. Occasional extended hours may be needed in a fast-paced environment.