Satellite Optical Engineer – Laser Communications

SpaceX; Union Hill-Novelty Hill (WA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Medical, vision, dental

Paid time off

SpaceX shuttles

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Engineer for Satellites (Starlink) to advance free-space laser communication systems for the Starlink constellation. You will design, validate, and operate optical subsystems, lead trade studies, and coordinate with software, manufacturing, and reliability teams.

Qualifications include a physics/engineering degree and hands-on optics experience, plus programming skills in C++, MATLAB, or Python.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation.
• Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions.
• Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies and risk reduction testing.
• Participate in verification testing including environmental qualification and performance characterization.
• Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution.

Skills

C++

MATLAB

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics/o r engineering/STEM

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

Zemax

Job description

SpaceX is seeking an Optical Engineer for Satellites (Starlink) to advance free-space laser communication systems for the Starlink constellation. You will design, validate, and operate optical subsystems, lead trade studies, and coordinate with software, manufacturing, and reliability teams.

Qualifications include a physics/engineering degree and hands-on optics experience, plus programming skills in C++, MATLAB, or Python.