Space Optical Communications Engineer II

Ephemeris Net; El Segundo (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k program

Comprehensive health care coverage

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Ephemeris Net in El Segundo, CA seeks an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of the optical systems moving data through the Ephemeris Net network, including coherent transceivers and the free-space optical assembly. You will lead optical hardware end to end, across transceiver and free-space link, coordinating with electrical and mechanical teams to scale from breadboard to flight.

The role reports to the CTO and founder, Nicolas Brown, with a hybrid work model in our

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, applied physics, photonics, electrical engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years of hands-on experience building precision electro-optical instruments.
• Knowledge of coherent detection architectures, free-space optical design, or laser and fiber systems at the component level.
• Proficiency with optical instrumentation and RF/microwave test equipment.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Design and assemble coherent transceiver optics from components.
• Design the free-space optical assembly including ray tracing, tolerancing, 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 end-to-end.
• Develop bench-level test plans for transceiver and free-space assembly.
• Characterize coherent detection performance and free-space optical performance.

Skills

Optical engineering

Electro-optical instruments

Ray tracing

Optical alignment

RF & microwave test

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering

Bachelor’s degree in applied physics

Bachelor’s degree in photonics

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

OSAs

Power meters

Interferometers

Wavefront sensors

Beam profilers

Job description

Ephemeris Net in El Segundo, CA seeks an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of the optical systems moving data through the Ephemeris Net network, including coherent transceivers and the free-space optical assembly. You will lead optical hardware end to end, across transceiver and free-space link, coordinating with electrical and mechanical teams to scale from breadboard to flight.

The role reports to the CTO and founder, Nicolas Brown, with a hybrid work model in our