Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer

About the Team: 

The Interplanetary Sciences Program was established to expand access to scientific exploration across our solar system. Its mission is to make planetary research faster, more affordable, and more capable than ever before by rethinking how science missions are designed, built, and operated. The program aims to enable scientists to send instruments to distant worlds without decades of development or prohibitive costs. By creating a sustainable model for interplanetary exploration, we are transforming space science from an occasional event into a continuous process of discovery that accelerates knowledge, broadens participation, and inspires the next generation of explorers.

About the Role:

We are seeking a Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer to bridge the optical and mechanical disciplines in support of advanced optical systems for deep-space missions. This engineer will design the structures, mounts, and mechanisms that preserve optical alignment through thermal variation, launch vibration, and on-orbit gravity release. The role partners closely with the Optics Engineer on optical prescription, the Optical Communications Engineer on pointing and isolation requirements, and the Mechanical Engineer on structural and thermal analysis. 

About You:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or a related field 
• 5+ years of experience in opto-mechanical design for precision optical systems or similar 
• Strong understanding of opto-mechanical design principles 
• Proficiency in CAD modeling for optical or precision mechanical assemblies 
• Experience using FEA to evaluate opto-mechanical structures for gravity sag, thermal distortion, and vibration response 

Nice to haves but not required:  

• Working knowledge of thermal effects on optical alignment, including CTE mismatch and thermally induced distortion 
• Experience with space opto-mechanical hardware or environments 
• Familiarity with contamination-sensitive hardware, optical coatings, and material selection for optical systems 
• Knowledge of materials commonly used in opto-mechanical design, including aluminum alloys, stainless steel fasteners, and optics-compatible adhesives