Defense and Space Manufacturing

Optical Test Engineer - Test, Alignment & Integration

Jacksonville, FLOnsiteFull TimePosted 2 days ago

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Required skills

optical test
alignment
integration
beam expanders
imaging telescopes
PAT hardware
fiber laser subsystems
reflective optics
off-axis optics
interferometers

Nice to have

large optics
CGH null testing
computer-generated hologram
alignment cubes
theodolites
IEST-STD-CC1246

Role summary

Star Catcher is building an energy grid in space and seeks an Optical Engineer - Test, Alignment & Integration in Jacksonville, Florida. This role involves planning and executing optical experiments and tests for various subsystems, aligning optical systems using specialized equipment, and characterizing optical and laser performance. Responsibilities include writing test plans and reports, analyzing data in Python or MATLAB, and maintaining lab readiness with a focus on laser safety and cleanroom practices. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering or Physics and 3+ years of hands-on experience in optical testing and alignment.

Power the future of Space at Star Catcher

Star Catcher is building the first energy grid in space to power the orbital economy.

Today’s spacecraft must generate all of their own power, which caps what they can do and how long they can operate. But what if they could “plug” into a grid, the way buildings do on Earth? Instead of cables and outlets, Star Catcher is building the technology to wirelessly beam energy to spacecraft’s existing solar panels when and where they need it.Be an early member of a team building an entirely new energy infrastructure at scale to power the next frontier.

Star Catcher Industries, Inc., located in Jacksonville, Florida, has an opportunity for an Optical Engineer - Test, Alignment & Integration to support the development of space-to-space power beaming spacecraft and the Star Catcher Network, its orbital power grid.

Key Responsibilities

Plan and conduct optical experiments and verification tests for beam expanders, imaging telescopes, PAT hardware, and fiber laser subsystems.

Align optical systems, including large and off-axis reflective optics, using interferometers, autocollimators, alignment telescopes, laser trackers, and coordinate measuring machines (CMMs).

Characterize optical performance, including transmitted and reflected WFE (interferometry), surface figure, MTF and PSF, boresight, and dimensional metrology.

Characterize laser beams, including power, M² (ISO 11146), beam profiles, pointing stability and jitter, polarization, and spectrum.

Support environmental testing, including optical performance checks before and after vibration, through-window testing in thermal vacuum (TVAC), and alignment stability verification.

Characterize the optical response of photovoltaic receivers under laser illumination (irradiance uniformity, spectral and angular response), working with Electrical Engineering, who perform the electrical measurements.

Write test plans, procedures, and reports; design test fixtures and ground support equipment (GSE).

Analyze test data in Python or MATLAB and feed results into WFE and pointing budgets.

Maintain lab readiness, including contamination control, cleanroom practice, and Class 4 laser safety procedures.

Basic Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.

Experience: 3+ years of hands-on optical test, alignment, or integration experience.

Technical Expertise

Interferometric testing (e.g., Zygo or 4D Technology interferometers), including null tests and data reduction.

Alignment of reflective optical systems, including off-axis optics, using autocollimators, alignment telescopes, and interferometers.

Laser beam characterization tools: power meters, beam profilers, M² measurement systems, and wavefront sensors.

Experience writing and executing formal test procedures and reports.

Data analysis in Python or MATLAB.

Working knowledge of Class 4 laser safety and cleanroom practices.

Preferred Qualifications

Large Optics: Alignment and testing of 0.5 m class or larger optics, including computer-generated hologram (CGH) null testing.

Environmental Test: Optical testing in TVAC and before and after vibration.

Metrology: Laser trackers, CMMs, and alignment cubes/theodolites.

Contamination Control: Experience with IEST-STD-CC1246 cleanliness levels and contamination control plans.

PV Testing: Characterization of solar cells or laser power converters.

Laser Safety: Experience as a laser safety officer or deputy.

Help us deploy and scale space infrastructure that will drive our utilization of space forward! We offer a highly competitive benefits package including access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, and paid parental leave, in addition to other benefits.

Star Catcher is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Star Catcher 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.

All offers of employment at Star Catcher are contingent upon results of a thorough background check and your ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the US.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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