Senior Optical Engineer: Telescope & Instrument Systems Lead

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 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