SpaceX Verified

Aerospace, Space Exploration, Telecommunications, Manufacturing

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CAFull TimePrincipal$190,000–$285,000 /yrPosted 2 months ago

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Required skills

visible camera
infrared sensing
navigation sensor
free-space optical system
high-rate manufacturing
Zemax
mixed-signal circuits
FPGAs
DDR4
I2C

Nice to have

electro-optical products
commercial products
high-reliability applications
imaging
multi-spectral systems
interferometer

Role summary

SpaceX is seeking a Principal Optical Engineer to lead the design, validation, and operation of free-space optical systems for a navigation sensor. This role involves setting product vision, designing optics, detectors, and associated hardware, and ensuring high-rate manufacturability. The engineer will analyze and troubleshoot electro-optical assemblies, define processes, and mentor other engineers. Responsibilities include driving architecture trades, performing verification and field testing, managing performance budgets, and collaborating with software teams on test automation. The position requires a Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of experience in optics, photonics, or related design/testing fields, along with programming experience.

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL)

SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical expertise, hands-on implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained environments.

As a Principal Optical Engineer, you will own free-space optical system design, validation, and operation for a navigation sensor combining a visible camera and infrared (IR) sensing. You will set product vision at the system level, lead design of optics, detectors, circuit boards, precision mechanisms, and mechanical enclosures that must survive extreme loads and the harsh environment of space, and ensure the product can be manufactured at high rate.

You will dive into technical details, drive architecture and design trades, mentor engineers, and build the team’s technical bar. Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both products and processes. You will directly contribute to mission-critical navigation applications.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Drive product vision and system-level architecture for a visible-camera and IR navigation sensor

Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation

Define requirements for high-performance optical/IR navigation sensors in challenging environmental conditions

Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk-reduction testing

Drive detailed trades across optical, IR, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing constraints for high-volume production

Design next-generation optical/IR sensor hardware for high-rate manufacturing

Mentor optical, electrical, and systems engineers; review designs and raise the technical standard of the team

Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals

Perform and oversee verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault-injection testing

Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and navigation sensor systems

Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution

Own performance budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data

Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical/IR testing

Communicate technical direction, risks, and recommendations to program leadership

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline

8+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design or testing

8+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline

Experience driving product vision and system-level trades for complex electro-optical products

Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and lead technical teams without relying solely on formal authority

Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax

Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of imaging or IR systems

Experience designing 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 alignment

Knowledge of and experience in cameras, IR detectors, 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 or high-volume products

Designing hardware for high-reliability applications

Experience with imaging, navigation sensing, or multi-spectral (visible + IR) systems

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, sources, cameras)

Experience with infrared system alignment and characterization

Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

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

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Pay Range: Level 3: $190,000.00 - $285,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

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.

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