Space Systems Optical Engineer

PLP Group; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous equity

Healthcare (vision and dental)

401(k)

Job summary

Azora is seeking a hands-on aerospace engineer to support the space segment, including optical terminals and associated avionics. You will own architecture across multiple subsystems, drive requirements down from mission-level to component specs, and lead SRR/CDR/TRR reviews with a focus on thorough V&V and environmental qualification.

You will collaborate with launch providers and hosted payload partners, contribute to risk management and materials assurance, and oversee AIT campaigns and

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Aerospace, Electrical, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Hands-on experience with real flight hardware or flight-like hardware.
• Working knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals: requirements, budgets (mass, power, link), V&V planning.
• Some exposure to environmental qualification or AIT (vibration, shock, TVAC, EMC).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take technical ownership of a problem.

Responsibilities

• Own space segment architecture work across optical terminal, avionics, structures, thermal, power, and interfaces to host spacecraft or bus.
• Contribute to requirements development and flow-down from mission and link-budget level to subsystem specifications.
• Own the design review cadence (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and the verification and validation program, including environmental qualification.
• Assist with interfaces to launch providers, bus manufacturers, and hosted payload partners, including ICD development.
• Support risk management and parts/materials assurance activities for the flight program.
• Own assembly, integration, and test campaigns and launch site operations; support on-orbit commissioning and anomaly resolution.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Hardware experience

V&V planning

Independent work

Flight hardware experience

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering

MS in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Job detailsEngineeringSan Francisco Bay Area, PhoenixFull-timeRoleSupport the development of Azora's space segment: the flight terminals and supporting avionics that carry our optical communications technology to orbit. You'll work hands-on across system architecture, requirements, and verification as part of a small hardware team.ResponsibilitiesOwn space segment architecture work across the optical terminal, avionics, structures, thermal, power, and interfaces to host spacecraft or bus.Contribute to requirements development and flow-down from mission and link-budget level to subsystem and component specifications.Own the design review cadence (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and the verification and validation program, including environmental qualification (vibration, shock, TVAC, EMC, radiation).Assist with technical interfaces to launch providers, bus manufacturers, and hosted payload partners, including ICD development.Support risk management and parts/materials assurance activities (EEE parts, radiation lot testing) for the flight program.Own assembly, integration, and test (AIT) campaigns and launch site operations; support on-orbit commissioning and anomaly resolution.Required QualificationsBS/MS in Aerospace, Electrical, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.Hands-on experience with real flight hardware or flight-like hardware—through research, or industry. We're looking for demonstrated contact with actual systems (built it, tested it, broke it, fixed it).Working knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals: requirements, budgets (mass, power, link, pointing), V&V planning.Some exposure to environmental qualification or AIT (vibration, shock, TVAC, EMC).Demonstrated ability to work independently and take technical ownership of a problem.PreferredExperience with optical payloads, laser communication terminals, or precision pointing systems in space.Familiarity with smallsat / NewSpace development models and hosted payload integration.Knowledge of radiation effects and mitigation for electronics and optics.Prior startup or small-team experience scaling engineering processes.LocationThis is an onsite/hybrid role based in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA – hardware work that’s hard to do remotely. Some travel expected for test campaigns and vendor/manufacturing visits.Benefits:Generous equityCompetitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)401(k)EEO & Reasonable AccommodationsAzora is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know by contacting [e-mail] ControlTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.Salary ranges are based on the following criteria:Final salary is based on geographic location, experience, skills, and qualifications.About this CompanyAzora is building high-bandwidth communications infrastructure for environments where fiber can’t reach. This work spans LEO spacecraft constellations, lunar exploration missions, GEO satcom, deployable optical ground for defense, and data centers both on- and off-world. To enable rapid global proliferation Azora is developing compact and modular optical terminals small enough to deploy from a backpack, and space terminals that support high speed optical links from LEO out to the Moon.