Space Optics Payload Engineer Intern

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Benefits package

Job summary

Anduril Industries is seeking an Optical Payload Engineer intern for the Space team to guide EO payload integration from concept to on‑orbit execution. You will interface with multidisciplinary teams to mature payload designs and mitigate risk, while working hands‑on with test equipment and space hardware.

You will gain exposure to design reviews, requirement derivation, performance modeling, and mission operations, contributing to a cutting‑edge portfolio of space capabilities and sensors.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field.
• U.S. Person due to export‑controlled information; US clearance may be required.
• Must be returning to school after internship for at least one quarter/semester.
• Must be able to complete a 12-week in-person internship in summer 2027.

Responsibilities

• Perform concept designs of active and passive EO payloads.
• Derive system and unit level requirements.
• Analyze performance with understanding of payload physics and technology.
• Create test plans and procedures to measure key parameters in a lab.
• Characterize radiometric and geometric performance of flight hardware.
• Draft ICDs covering electrical, data, algorithmic, mechanical, thermal, and optical interfaces.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software teams to resolve integration trades.
• Develop payload data calibration algorithms with computer vision and flight software teams.
• Define on-orbit calibration sequences and initialization procedures.
• Communicate with customers at design reviews and during the payload lifecycle.
• Assist assembly and integration campaigns for space systems hardware.
• Identify testing requirements across teams for verification and validation.
• Develop test plans and procedures for prototype, qualification, and acceptance of space systems hardware.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Documentation

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Tools

ImageJ

Python

MATLAB

Zemax

Code V

Job description

Anduril Industries is seeking an Optical Payload Engineer intern for the Space team to guide EO payload integration from concept to on‑orbit execution. You will interface with multidisciplinary teams to mature payload designs and mitigate risk, while working hands‑on with test equipment and space hardware.

You will gain exposure to design reviews, requirement derivation, performance modeling, and mission operations, contributing to a cutting‑edge portfolio of space capabilities and sensors.