Space Optomechanics Postdoc — Telescopes

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 122,028 - 143,328; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance precision optomechanical engineering for space applications. The role emphasizes mechanisms, mounts, and integration of optical systems into spacecraft, within the Advanced Space Development group.

Responsibilities include designing high stability mechanisms, validating optical performance with Zemax/FRED, and collaborating across disciplines to enable large-aperture space telescopes. Full-time on-site at LLNL.

Qualifications

• PhD in a related field with strong research background.
• Experience in precision mechanical design for space instruments.
• Experience with optomechanical design for telescopes or imaging systems.
• Hands-on experience with structural and thermal analysis tools.
• Ability to perform independent research and publish findings.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze high stability mechanisms, mounts, and structures for space telescopes.
• Develop optomechanical designs for telescope subsystems and ensure thermos-mechanical stability.
• Create models to predict performance under mechanical, thermal, and dynamic loads.
• Ensure alignment and wavefront stability of optical systems in space environments.
• Collaborate with engineers and scientists across disciplines.
• Travel to coordinate with collaborators and test sites.

Skills

Precision mechanical design

Kinematic mounts

Optomechanical design

Metrology planning

Error budgeting

Thermal stability analysis

Vibration analysis

Clear communication

Education

PhD in mechanical engineering

PhD in optical engineering

PhD in aerospace engineering

PhD in applied physics

Tools

ANSYS

NASTRAN

Abaqus

Job description

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance precision optomechanical engineering for space applications. The role emphasizes mechanisms, mounts, and integration of optical systems into spacecraft, within the Advanced Space Development group.

Responsibilities include designing high stability mechanisms, validating optical performance with Zemax/FRED, and collaborating across disciplines to enable large-aperture space telescopes. Full-time on-site at LLNL.