Space Systems Optical Engineer

Azora; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous equity

Healthcare (vision & dental)

401(k)

Job summary

Azora is seeking a hardware-focused engineer to support the space segment, from architecture to verification, on a small hardware team. You will work hands-on across system architecture, requirements, and verification for optical communications hardware destined for space.

The role emphasizes ownership of design reviews and environmental qualification with opportunities for on-site work in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA, with travel for test campaigns and vendor visits.

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, V&V planning.
• Some exposure to environmental qualification or AIT (vibration, TVAC, EMC).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take technical ownership.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Systems engineering fundamentals

Flight hardware experience

Independent ownership

Requirements flow-down

V&V planning

Education

BS/MS in Aerospace, Electrical, Optical Engineering, Physics

Job description

Role

Support 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.

Responsibilities

• Own 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 Qualifications

• BS/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.

Preferred

• Experience 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.

Location

This 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 equity




• Competitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)




• 401(k)

EEO & Reasonable Accommodations

• Azora 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]

Export Control

To 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 Company

Azora 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.