Optical Engineer

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday Trusted

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Salary: $135,000–$170,000 / yr
Posted: 17 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $174k

This role $152k

$126k most similar roles pay here $223k

This role pays less than 57% of similar roles. Most pay $135,000–$214,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $152k versus about $174k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

SpaceX currently has 680 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 442 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Optical Engineer

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As an Optical Engineer (Starfall), you will own the design, validation, and operation of free-space optical systems for a navigation sensor combining visible camera and infrared sensing. You will lead the development of optics, detectors, circuit boards, and precision mechanisms capable of surviving extreme space environments while meeting high manufacturing rates. Your daily work involves performing verification testing, analyzing hardware, defining requirements, and managing performance budgets to solve complex navigation problems. The role requires expertise in photonics, imaging systems, and opto-mechanical design. You will utilize tools such as Zemax and programming languages like C++, MATLAB, or Python within a Linux environment. Key technical competencies include experience with mixed-signal circuits, FPGAs, signal integrity, and optical test equipment to ensure reliable performance for mission-critical navigation applications in demanding, resource-constrained environments.

Skills

Optics Photonics Zemax Python C++ MATLAB Linux IR) sensing Optical Design FPGA Mixed-Signal Circuits Ethernet SERDES I2C SPI Precision Metrology Signal Integrity

What you'll do

Design and validate visible camera and infrared (IR) sensor architectures for navigation systems.
Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies and risk-reduction testing.
Balance design trades across optical, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing constraints for high-volume production.
Develop hardware components including optics, detectors, circuit boards, and precision mechanisms for space environments.
Perform verification testing including environmental qualification, performance characterization, and fault-injection testing.
Lead field testing of optical experiments and navigation sensor systems.
Analyze test data to investigate and resolve technical anomalies.
Collaborate with software teams to develop automated tools and protocols for optical testing.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline.
2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design and testing.
1+ years of experience in a computer programming language such as C++, MATLAB, or Python.
Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline (preferred).
Proficiency with optical analysis tools like Zemax (preferred).
Experience in opto-mechanical design, mixed-signal circuits, and high-reliability hardware for high-volume production (preferred).
Knowledge of free-space optical principles, atmospheric effects, and infrared system alignment (preferred).
Must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, or eligible for required export control authorizations.

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