Senior Optical Engineer

Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 134,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of NSO’s Next-Generation Global Observing Network. This position leads design, analysis, and integration of telescope and instrument optics, ensuring manufacturability, alignability, and cost-effectiveness as the project moves from design to construction and commissioning.

Based in Boulder, Colorado on the University of Colorado campus, you will develop DRDs, interface requirements, tolerancing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, or a related field required.
• 7–10 years of optical system design, analysis, and engineering project management experience.
• Experience designing complex optical systems for telescopes or scientific instruments.
• Strong analytical skills, including wavefront budgeting and stray light analysis.
• Experience with optical tolerancing, alignment procedures, and verification/validation planning.
• Excellent communication skills for cross-disciplinary collaboration with vendors and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in optical modeling and design software, such as SolidWorks and Zemax.

Responsibilities

• Write optical Design Requirements Documents (DRDs) for telescope and instrument assemblies with the engineering team.
• Develop optical interface requirements for telescope and instrument systems.
• Maintain optical specifications and drawings per ISO 10110.
• Identify and manage technical risks related to optical systems.
• Translate science requirements into technical optical specifications.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering on mounts, alignment, tolerancing, and calibration strategies.
• Layout, design, model, and analyze complete optical systems for telescopes and instruments.
• Conduct wavefront error budgeting and stray light analysis to optimize performance.
• Create tolerancing studies and alignment procedures.
• Serve as technical contact for optical component vendors.
• Develop alignment, commissioning, and validation test plans.
• Prepare specifications and statements of work for fabrication and coating contracts.
• Evaluate vendor capabilities and ROM quotes.
• Lead design reviews (CoDR/PDR) and prepare technical presentations for meetings.

Skills

Optical design

Project management

Wavefront budgeting

Stray light analysis

Tolerancing

Vendor oversight

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, or related field

Advanced degree in Optical Engineering or related field (asset)

Tools

SolidWorks

Zemax

Job description

The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory’s Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This international initiative is currently in the design phase and will modernize NSO’s global network of ground-based solar observatories, enabling continuous, high-quality observations that advance solar physics and space weather research.

As ngGONG moves through critical design milestones, strong optical leadership is essential. The Senior Optical Engineer leads the design, analysis, and integration of telescope and instrument optical systems, ensuring they meet demanding scientific requirements while remaining manufacturable, alignable, and cost-effective. This role directly influences the scientific capability, reliability, and long-term success of the observatory as it transitions from design into construction and commissioning.

This position supports the currently funded design phase of ngGONG and is expected to continue into subsequent construction phases pending standard NSF project approvals.

This position is based in Boulder, Colorado, on the University of Colorado campus.

What You’ll Do

Requirements Development And Documentation

• Write optical Design Requirements Documents (DRDs) for telescope and instrument assemblies, subsystems, in collaboration with the engineering team.
• Develop optical interface requirements for telescope and instrument systems.
• Maintain optical specifications and drawings for components in accordance with ISO 10110 standards.
• Identify and manage technical risks related to optical systems.
• Assist in translating science requirements into technical optical specifications.
• Work closely with Mechanical Engineering to develop mounts, alignment, tolerancing, and calibration strategies.

Optical System Layout, Design, Specifications, and Analysis

• Layout, design, model, and analyze complete optical systems for telescope and instrument assemblies and subsystems.
• Conduct wavefront error budgeting and stray light analysis to optimize system performance.
• Create detailed tolerancing studies and alignment procedures.

Vendor and Contractor Assessment

• Serve as the technical point of contact for optical component vendors.
• Develop optical system alignment, commissioning, and verification & validation test plans.
• Prepare specifications and statements of work for optical fabrication and coating contracts.
• Evaluate vendor capabilities and ROM quotes.

Design Reviews and Presentations

• Lead optical system sections of Conceptual Design Review (CoDR) and Preliminary Design Review (PDR).
• Prepare technical presentations and documentation for project meetings and reviews.
• Support planning and cost estimation for optical design completion and construction of optical systems and subsystems.

Core Competencies

• Optical System Design and Analysis
• Wavefront Error Budgeting and Stray Light Analysis
• Tolerancing and Alignment Procedures
• Technical Project Management
• Requirements Development and Documentation
• Vendor and Contractor Technical Oversight
• Design Reviews, Planning, and Presentation Skills
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Why NSO?

At the National Solar Observatory, you’ll join a mission-driven community working at the frontier of solar science. Our teams are dedicated to understanding the Sun in ways that protect technology, enhance scientific discovery, and inspire global audiences. NSO offers a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where curiosity is encouraged, varied perspectives are valued, and employees can make a tangible impact on science and society. Here, you will have the opportunity to grow your career, lead innovative outreach programs, and help shape the national conversation around solar physics and space weather.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of relevant experience in optical system design, analysis, and engineering project management.
• Proven experience designing complex optical systems for telescopes or scientific instruments.
• Strong analytical skills, including wavefront error budgeting and stray light analysis.
• Experience with optical tolerancing, alignment procedures, and verification/validation planning.
• Excellent communication skills for collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in optical modeling and design software, such as SolidWorks and Zemax.

Preferred

• An advanced degree in Optical Engineering or a relevant field is an asset.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position at least 50% of the time.
• Occasional need to move about inside the office environment to access files, office tools, attendance in a meeting room, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity tools that require fine motor skills, such as a calculator, copy machine, computer printer, etc.
• May occasionally need to position self to maintain computer and related tools.
• Seldomly needed to move objects up to 10 pounds.
• Constant communication with other individuals. Must be able to discern and exchange information as appropriate to the situation.
• Constant need to distinguish, discern, and identify a variety of objects and fine details with accuracy.
• Occasional work at high elevation summit sites may be required (summit elevations range from 6,800 feet to 14,000 feet)

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required by personnel so classified. This Institute promotes Equal Employment Opportunity workplace that includes reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified, disabled applicants and employees.

Salary And Benefits

Salary range: $134,000 – $169,000. The final salary will depend on skills, qualifications, and experience.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/benefits-by-location/

About NSO And AURA

The National Solar Observatory is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), a consortium of leading universities and research institutions committed to advancing astronomical discovery. AURA manages world-class observatories for the National Science Foundation, providing scientific leadership, operational excellence, and a collaborative environment that supports groundbreaking research. As part of AURA, NSO benefits from shared resources and a community dedicated to innovation, transparency, and public service, ensuring its work has broad and lasting impact.