Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer

Astranis; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity package

Company-subsidized healthcare

401(k) retirement planning

Flexible PTO

Free on-site meals

Job summary

Astranis in Northern California seeks a Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer to own the full lifecycle of opto-mechanical systems on our spacecraft. You will evolve designs from concept through production, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate across optical, electrical, and manufacturing teams to deliver high-precision assemblies.

You should have 5+ years in opto-mechanical design, experience with free-space optics and micron/sub-micron alignment, and a hands-on hardware mindset in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S in mechanical, aerospace engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years of opto-mechanical design experience, combining precision mechanical design with optical system integration.
• Experience in detailed design, development and validation of mechanical assemblies from prototype through manufacturing.
• Experience designing mechanical mounts, interfaces and assemblies for optical components such as lenses, mirrors, lasers/light sources, detectors, fibers or similar optical components.
• Experience with precision optical alignment, including active and/or passive alignment; micron or sub-micron alignment experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with free-space optics and miniature optical assemblies.
• Experience working with suppliers and/or contract manufacturers.
• A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment with hands-on design and development.
• A motivated leader who has experience mentoring and supporting junior engineers.
• Understanding of how mechanical tolerances, thermal effects, vibration and assembly variation can affect optical performance and alignment.
• Don't meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria

Responsibilities

• Develop new opto-mechanical products from concept and detailed design through engineering drawings, vendor selection, evaluation, prototype builds and production
• Design and integrate free-space optical assemblies, miniature optics, optical mounts and precision alignment mechanisms
• Perform detailed tolerance analyses and tolerance stack-ups for optical and mechanical assemblies
• Integrate mechanical, optical and electrical components into complex optoelectronic systems
• Lead mechanical and opto-mechanical design reviews
• Work closely with optical, electrical, manufacturing and other cross-functional engineering teams
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team.

Skills

Opto-mechanical design

Precision mechanical design

Optical alignment

Free-space optics

Micron/sub-micron alignment

Leadership mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S. or M.S. in mechanical/aerospace engineering

Job description

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe – large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military.

With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts. Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization.

Astranis has raised over $1.2 billion from some of the world’s best investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Baillie Gifford, Blackrock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Snowpoint, and employs a team of 500 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer

As an Astranis Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer you will own the complete lifecycle of various opto-mechanical systems on our spacecraft. Whether it is incremental improvements or the introduction of a new system, you will work together with the various other teams at Astranis to make them a reality.

In addition to being a significant individual on your own, you will mentor and train junior opt-mechanical engineers on such projects. You must have a strong problem-solving background, hands-on testing skills, and preferably some experience with spacecraft and/or aerospace engineering.

Role

• Develop new opto-mechanical products from concept and detailed design through engineering drawings, vendor selection, evaluation, prototype builds and production
• Design and integrate free-space optical assemblies, miniature optics, optical mounts and precision alignment mechanisms
• Perform detailed tolerance analyses and tolerance stack-ups for optical and mechanical assemblies
• Integrate mechanical, optical and electrical components into complex optoelectronic systems
• Lead mechanical and opto-mechanical design reviews
• Work closely with optical, electrical, manufacturing and other cross-functional engineering teams
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and hiring additional teammates to our rapidly-growing team.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S in mechanical, aerospace engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years of opto-mechanical design experience, combining precision mechanical design with optical system integration
• Experience in detailed design, development and validation of mechanical assemblies from prototype through manufacturing
• Experience designing mechanical mounts, interfaces and assemblies for optical components such as lenses, mirrors, lasers/light sources, detectors, fibers or similar optical components
• Experience with precision optical alignment, including active and/or passive alignment; micron or sub-micron alignment experience is highly desirable
• Experience with free-space optics and miniature optical assemblies
• Experience working with suppliers and/or contract manufacturers
• A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment with hands-on design and development
• A motivated leader who has experience mentoring and supporting junior engineers
• Understanding of how mechanical tolerances, thermal effects, vibration and assembly variation can affect optical performance and alignment
• Don't meet them all? Not a problem. Please apply even if you do not meet all these criteria

Bonus

• Experience running a development program while delegating to a small team
• Experience in synthesizing requirements and flowing them down to sub-scale verification builds and testing
• Knowledge of geometric optics and semiconductor packaging/assembly
• Experience designing prototype or production equipment for optoelectronic manufacturing
• Experience managing a team of engineers

What we offer

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

$145,000 - $225,000 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and products are built for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed, or background. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we invite all people to join our team and bring their unique perspectives to make us stronger.