Laser and Photonics Engineer
Cowboy Space•San Carlos, CA
•Onsite
About The Position
The Lasers & Optics team is looking for a Laser & Photonics Engineer to design and build the next generation communication backbone to our orbital datacenters. This role requires hands-on experience with fiber laser systems and a strong foundation in fiber-optic component integration and characterization. You will work closely with optical, electrical, and systems engineers to bring up and verify the end-to-end communications link.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience with fiber-optic systems including splicing, component integration, and characterization.
- Experience with rare-earth-doped fiber amplifiers.
- Familiarity with fiber-optic communications modulation formats.
- Experience operating OSAs, power meters, polarimeters, and high-speed oscilloscopes.
Nice To Haves
- Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
- Hands-on experience building and characterizing MOPA fiber amplifier chains.
- Familiarity with SBS, SPM, and other nonlinearity effects in high-power fiber systems.
- Experience with interferometric optical receivers or coherent detection front-ends.
- 5+ years of experience in a laser communications, defense, or aerospace photonics role.
- Experience with free-space optical communications or LEO inter-satellite links.
- Experience with environmental validation of space-based laser systems (thermal-vacuum, vibration, radiation).
- Experience with Class 4 laser lab environments.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop high-power fiber laser and amplifier systems for space-based applications.
- Characterize laser sources including linewidth, phase noise, RIN, and spectral purity.
- Select, integrate, and qualify fiber-optic components and subsystems for integration into a space-based platform.
- Perform and supervise fiber splicing and assembly of fiber-optic subassemblies.
- Model and measure fiber nonlinearity effects including SBS and SPM.
- Design and align coherent fiber-optic receivers.
- Develop and execute test plans for optical performance verification including BER, eye diagrams, and spectral measurements.
- Generate design specifications, assembly procedures, and test reports.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Paid time off
- 10 paid holidays per calendar year
- Paid parental leave
- Relocation assistance
- Daily lunch in the office
- Fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks
- Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
