Senior Optical Alignment Engineer for Space Optics

spacedynamicslaboratory; North Logan (UT); On-site; USD 124,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Space Dynamics Laboratory’s Civil & Commercial Space Division is seeking a mid-level Optical Alignment Engineer to join our engineering team in Utah. The role focuses on the design, development, test, and fielding of space electro-optical systems from UV to IR, with opportunities to participate in challenging government and commercial missions.

You will mentor engineers, conduct trade studies, prepare integration plans, manage vendor sub-contracts, and support system-level verification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in optical sciences, optical engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years with a bachelor’s, 8+ with a master’s, or 4+ with a PhD in relevant work.
• Subject matter expert in optical alignment and alignment tools/methods.
• Experience with UV/EO/IR imaging alignment and testing.

Responsibilities

• Mentor optical engineers in alignment methods, error budgets, and analyses.
• Conduct trade studies and engineering analyses of optical alignment.
• Support optical design with alignment and budgeting methods.
• Perform optical alignment of UV/EO/IR imaging and non-imaging systems.
• Perform optical testing including WFE, LOS, PSF, focus, vignetting.
• Write optical integration plans/procedures.
• Support system-level planning, testing, and calibration.
• Manage vendor sub-contracts for lens/mirror fabrication and coatings.
• Investigate feasibility of new projects.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, systems, contamination, calibration, quality teams.
• Identify and recommend new alignment methods/tools.
• Lead design reviews and larger proposal efforts.

Skills

Optical alignment

Error budgeting

Trade studies

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Technical presentations

Education

Bachelor's degree in optical sciences/engineering

Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in a related field

Tools

Interferometers

CGHs

Laser trackers

Theodolites

Zemax

CODE V

FRED

Job description

Space Dynamics Laboratory’s Civil & Commercial Space Division is seeking a mid-level Optical Alignment Engineer to join our engineering team in Utah. The role focuses on the design, development, test, and fielding of space electro-optical systems from UV to IR, with opportunities to participate in challenging government and commercial missions.

You will mentor engineers, conduct trade studies, prepare integration plans, manage vendor sub-contracts, and support system-level verification.