Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer

Cowboy Space•San Carlos, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Integration & Test team is looking for an Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer to own our optics lab and support the build and verification of our next generation laser communications system. This is a hands-on role at the center of our hardware development — you will work directly alongside optical and photonics engineers during complex builds, alignments, and verification campaigns. The ideal candidate is technically strong, highly organized, and at home in a high-power laser lab.

Requirements

3+ years of hands-on experience in an optical or photonics lab environment.
Experience operating standard optical test equipment (OSAs, power meters, oscilloscopes, beam profilers).
Ability to perform precision optical alignment on a bench.
Familiarity with Class 3B and Class 4 laser safety requirements.
Strong organizational skills and attention to documentation.

Nice To Haves

Experience with high-power fiber laser or amplifier systems.
Experience handling and assembling precision opto-mechanical hardware including interferometric or polarization-sensitive assemblies.
Experience supporting environmental test campaigns (thermal-vacuum, vibration) for optical hardware.
Experience managing a shared lab across multiple engineers and programs.
Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Optical Technology, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

Own lab operations including equipment calibration schedules, inventory, and configuration management of test setups.
Maintain laser safety requirements including interlocks, PPE, and posted procedures in coordination with the Laser Safety Officer.
Assist engineers with setup and alignment of free-space optical assemblies, interferometric subassemblies, and fiber-optic components.
Support integration and alignment of deployable opto-mechanical assemblies.
Support field demonstration campaigns including ground station setup, fiber-optic system checkout, and pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) system validation.
Execute formal test procedures and record results accurately.
Operate test equipment including OSAs, optical power meters, oscilloscopes, BER testers, and beam profilers.
Maintain lab documentation including cable and fiber routing logs, component records, and test configurations.
Coordinate with facilities on lab infrastructure, power, and safety requirements.