Senior Thermal-Optics Engineer for Space Systems

Footbridge Federal; Coronado (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Professional development

Job summary

Footbridge Federal seeks an Optical/Photonic/Laser Scientist to resolve thermal distortion and misalignment in vacuum testing, evaluate TVAC data, and guide assemblies through system-level integration and qualification. Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams will assess hardware for thermal stability and production readiness, delivering rapid, reliable hardware.

The role requires hands-on experience with TVAC, thermal cycling, and aerospace hardware transition from testing to deliverable

Qualifications

• Experience as Optical/Photonics/Laser Scientist with thermodynamics expertise.
• Direct experience solving thermal distortion and optical misalignment on physical hardware.
• Hands-on expertise with TVAC testing, thermal cycling, and environmental qualification protocols.
• Demonstrated success transitioning complex aerospace or optical systems from testing to deliverable hardware.
• US citizenship with eligibility for Top Secret clearance upgrade.

Responsibilities

• Investigate and resolve alignment anomalies and structural distortions during vacuum testing.
• Evaluate environmental and thermal vacuum test data to isolate root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Guide optical and laser assemblies through full system-level integration and final qualification.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to assess hardware for thermal stability, reliability, and production readiness.
• Deliver decisive technical guidance to clear integration bottlenecks and ensure timely hardware delivery.

Skills

Optical/Photonics/laser science

Thermodynamics expertise

TVAC testing experience

Space/aerospace hardware experience

US citizenship with TS clearance

Tools

Thermal Desktop

ANSYS

SINDA/FLUINT

Job description

Footbridge Federal seeks an Optical/Photonic/Laser Scientist to resolve thermal distortion and misalignment in vacuum testing, evaluate TVAC data, and guide assemblies through system-level integration and qualification. Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams will assess hardware for thermal stability and production readiness, delivering rapid, reliable hardware.

The role requires hands-on experience with TVAC, thermal cycling, and aerospace hardware transition from testing to deliverable