Optical Engineer (Starshield)

<div class="content-intro"><p>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&nbsp;enabling human life on Mars.</p></div><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Starshield&nbsp;leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use,&nbsp;Starshield&nbsp;is designed for government use, with&nbsp;an initial&nbsp;focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="none">SpaceX&nbsp;satellite engineering&nbsp;teams</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;develop, produce, and deploy the most&nbsp;cutting-edge&nbsp;satellite free-space optical communication systems</span><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;and observation payloads</span><span data-contrast="auto">&nbsp;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&nbsp;Starshield&nbsp;satellites. All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a blend of theoretical&nbsp;expertise, practical implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained systems.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">As&nbsp;a&nbsp;</span><span data-contrast="none">Starshield optical engineer</span><span data-contrast="auto">, you will&nbsp;be responsible for&nbsp;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.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">RESPONSIBILITIES:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured&nbsp;in accordance with&nbsp;overall project goals</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical testing</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Bachelor’s degree in&nbsp;optical engineering, physics, or other engineering/STEM discipline</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or electrical/mechanical design or testing (university lab, student project, or internship experience qualifies)</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g.&nbsp;C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Proficiency&nbsp;with optical analysis tools such as&nbsp;Zemax</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of laser communication systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-ccp-props="{}">Experience with mixed-signal circuits, processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DRAM&nbsp;interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to&nbsp;analog converters, and power supply components</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="none">Opto-mechanical design&nbsp;and&nbsp;analysis&nbsp;experience with&nbsp;precision mounting&nbsp;and&nbsp;steering mechanisms</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Knowledge of and experience in lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Knowledge of and experience in free-space optical principles, optical&nbsp;component&nbsp;testing/troubleshooting techniques, precision metrology techniques,&nbsp;manufacturing&nbsp;and integration processes</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience leading development of commercial communications products</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Knowledge of and experience in atmospheric optical effects</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data</span><span data-ccp-props="{}">&nbsp;</span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto&q