Senior Space Lasers Engineer, Satellites

SpaceX

Confirmed live yesterday Low trust

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Redmond, WA
Salary: $135,000–$195,000 / yr
Posted: 168 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live yesterday
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

Market check

Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $165k

This role $165k

$128k most similar roles pay here $202k

This role pays more than 53% of similar roles. Most pay $137,500–$193,000 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $165k versus about $165k 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.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Space Lasers Engineer, Satellites

Role Posting Log in to save

Sr. Space Lasers Engineer, Satellites (Starlink) joins the Starlink Space Lasers team to develop, produce, and deploy cutting-edge satellite free-space optical communication systems. This role involves designing, validating, and operating laser communication terminals and imaging products for a groundbreaking satellite constellation. The engineer will perform optical system design, lead architecture definition through trade studies, manage link budgets, and oversee verification testing including environmental qualification and fault injection. Key responsibilities include collaborating with manufacturing teams and developing automated testing tools with software teams. Required skills include expertise in optics, photonics, and laser technology, alongside proficiency in programming languages like C++, MATLAB, or Python. Candidates should possess experience with Zemax, infrared system alignment, and precision metrology while solving complex problems for mission-critical applications such as next-generation star tracking systems for precise navigation in space environments.

Skills

Optics Photonics Laser Communication Systems Zemax Python C++ MATLAB Linux Fiber Optics Free-Space Optical Signal Integrity Precision Metrology Link Budgets Hardware Development Optical Testing Manufacturing Automation

What you'll do

Design, analyze, and validate free-space optical systems and laser communication terminals.
Define technical requirements for high-performance optical systems operating in extreme environments.
Lead optical architecture definition through internal 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.
Analyze test data to lead investigation and resolution of system anomalies.
Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capability data.
Coordinate with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure designs are manufacturable.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or another STEM field.
2+ years of hands-on experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or precision mechanical design and testing.
1+ years of experience with a programming language such as C++, MATLAB, or Python.
Proficiency with optical analysis tools like Zemax and competence with optical test equipment.
Knowledge of free-space optical principles, fiber optics, signal integrity, and atmospheric optical effects.
Experience in the design, integration, and testing of laser communication systems and high-reliability hardware.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and perform during extended hours or weekends as needed.
Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to meet ITAR requirements.