Optical Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX • Redmond, WA

1d

About The Position

The Starlink Space Lasers team develops, produces, and deploys satellite free-space optical communication systems. The Optical Engineer will contribute to developing laser communications terminals and imaging products for Starlink satellites. The role involves free-space optical system design, validation, and operation, combining theoretical expertise with practical implementation in real-time, resource-constrained systems. The engineer will help develop laser communication systems and mission-critical applications, including next-generation star-tracking systems for precise navigation in space environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or another engineering or STEM discipline.
• At least 2 years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or precision mechanical design or testing; university lab, student project, and internship experience qualify.
• At least 1 year of experience in a computer programming language such as C++, MATLAB, or Python.
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Must meet U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline.
• Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax.
• Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and testing of laser communication systems.
• Knowledge of and experience with lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing and troubleshooting techniques, and signal-integrity principles.
• Knowledge of and experience with free-space optical principles, optical component testing and troubleshooting, precision metrology, and manufacturing and integration processes.
• Experience leading development of commercial communications products.
• Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications.
• Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking.
• Knowledge of and experience with atmospheric optical effects.
• Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere.
• Competence with optical test equipment, including power meters, interferometers, and laser sources.
• Experience with infrared system alignment and characterization.
• Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation.
• Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution.
• Define requirements for high-performance optical systems operating in challenging environmental conditions.
• Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept-of-operations definition, and risk-reduction testing.
• Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault-injection testing.
• Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems.
• Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution.
• Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data.
• Interface with manufacturing and supply-chain teams to ensure designs can be manufactured in accordance with project goals.
• Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical testing.
• Represent laser communications systems in reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors.

Benefits

• Potential long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
• Potential discretionary bonuses.
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive medical coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various other discounts and perks.
• Up to 3 weeks of paid vacation accrual.
• 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick time for employees in Washington State in compliance with state and federal law.
• Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday through Friday.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level