Senior Optical Engineer

SpaceX

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Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Salary: $140,000–$230,000 / yr
Posted: 14 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live today
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $179k

This role $185k

$129k $241k

below market most similar roles pay here above market

This role pays more than 52% of similar roles. Most pay $142,500–$215,000 — the blue band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $185k versus about $179k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

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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 851 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 590 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Optical Engineer

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The Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield) joins the satellite engineering team to develop laser communications terminals and imaging products for the Starshield constellation. This role focuses on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads for government use. You will perform free-space optical system design, validation, and operation, including architecture definition, requirement setting, and risk reduction testing. Daily tasks involve leading field tests, reviewing data, maintaining link budgets, and collaborating with manufacturing and software teams. Required skills include optics and photonics knowledge, experience with laser technology, and proficiency in C++, MATLAB, or Python. Preferred expertise includes Zemax, mixed-signal circuits, FPGAs, and opto-mechanical design. You will solve complex problems in resource-constrained systems to enable next-generation star tracking and precise navigation in space environments.

Skills

Optics Photonics Laser Communication Systems Zemax Python C++ MATLAB Linux FPGAs Mixed-Signal Circuits Ethernet SERDES DDR4 I2C SPI Fiber Optics Signal Integrity Precision Metrology Optical Test Equipment

What you'll do

Design, analyze, and validate free-space optical systems and laser communication terminals.
Define requirements and lead optical architecture definition through trade studies and risk reduction testing.
Execute verification testing including environmental qualification, performance characterization, and fault injection.
Lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems.
Review test data to lead anomaly investigation and resolution.
Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data.
Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure designs meet project goals.
Develop tools and protocols for automated optical testing with software and automation teams.

What we're looking for

Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or another 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 such as C++, MATLAB, and/or Python.
Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline (preferred).
Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax (preferred).
Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of laser communication systems (preferred).
Experience with mixed-signal circuits, processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DRAM interfaces, I2C, SPI, and power supply components (preferred).
Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible for required Department of State authorizations.