Senior Space Optics Engineer: Coherent & Free-Space

Ephemeris Net; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous equity package

401k program

Comprehensive health care coverage

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Ephemeris Net is seeking an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of optical systems that move data through our space networking network. You will work on coherent transceivers and free-space optical assemblies, from RF to space-ready hardware, reporting to the CTO and founder Nicolas Brown.

The role involves end-to-end optical hardware development, ray tracing, tolerance analysis, stray light rejection, and collaboration with the electrical and mechanical teams to scale

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, applied physics, photonics, electrical engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 4+ years of hands-on experience designing or building robust, precision electro-optical instruments in fiber, free space, or both
• Proficiency with optical instrumentation (OSAs, power meters, interferometers, collimated beams, wavefront sensors, beam profilers) and RF and microwave test equipment (network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, high-speed oscilloscopes)
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Responsibilities

• Design and assemble coherent transceiver optics from components: optical modulators, optical hybrids, photodetectors
• Design the free-space optical assembly including optical design and ray tracing: tolerancing, ghost analysis, and stray light analysis to close on-orbit link budgets
• Design the fiber optical layout, including alignment fixtures and opto-mechanical packaging
• Own the transmit and receive signal chain performance from RF electrical output through free-space launch and from free-space back to RF electrical

Skills

Optical engineering

Electro-optical instrument design

RF/microwave test equipment

Ray tracing

Free-space optical design

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

OSAs

Power meters

Interferometers

RF spectrum analyzers

High-speed oscilloscopes

Job description

Ephemeris Net is seeking an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of optical systems that move data through our space networking network. You will work on coherent transceivers and free-space optical assemblies, from RF to space-ready hardware, reporting to the CTO and founder Nicolas Brown.

The role involves end-to-end optical hardware development, ray tracing, tolerance analysis, stray light rejection, and collaboration with the electrical and mechanical teams to scale