Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Starshield leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

The SpaceX satellite engineering teams develop, produce, and deploy the most cutting-edge satellite free-space optical communication systems and observation payloads in the world. We are looking for engineers to contribute to the development of laser communications terminals and imaging products for the groundbreaking constellation of Starshield satellites. All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a blend of theoretical expertise, practical implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained systems.

As a Starshield optical engineer, you will be responsible for free-space optical system design, validation, and operation. You will shape the future of laser communication systems and directly contribute to mission-critical applications such as next-generation star tracking system for precise navigation in space environments.

• →Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
• →Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
• →Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions
• →Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk
  reduction testing
• →Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability
  testing, and fault injection testing
• →Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems
• →Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
• →Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
• →Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance
  with overall project goals
• →Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical testing
• →Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors

• Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering/STEM discipline
• 5+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or electrical/mechanical
  design or testing
• 3+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)

• Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
• Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax
• Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of laser communication systems
• Experience with mixed-signal circuits, processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, and power supply components 
• Opto-mechanical design and analysis experience with precision mounting and steering mechanisms
• Knowledge of and experience in lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles
• Knowledge of and experience in free-space optical principles, optical component testing/troubleshooting techniques, precision metrology techniques, manufacturing and integration processes
• Experience leading development of commercial communications products
• Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
• Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking
• Knowledge of and experience in atmospheric optical effects
• Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
• Competence with optical test equipment (power meters, interferometer, laser sources)
• Experience with infrared system alignment and characterization
• Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Working extended hours and weekends as needed
• Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.