Senior Optical Engineer

Planet•San Francisco, CA

37d•Onsite

About The Position

The Electro-Optical Systems team is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Senior Optical Engineer to support the design, manufacturing, integration, testing, and operation of advanced imaging payloads. This role involves collaborating across teams to develop, troubleshoot, and refine optical instruments, including telescopes and cameras, for Earth observation missions. The ideal candidate thrives at the intersection of hardware, software, and product engineering and enjoys hands-on work with cutting-edge imaging and optical systems. The team is responsible for electro-optical (EO) design and development while assembling, integrating and testing (AI&T) all EO payload hardware. The role will appeal to candidates that enjoy getting hands-on with camera, sensor, and telescope AI&T while interfacing with cross-functional engineering, and operations. This position is required to be on-site in our San Francisco HQ full time 5 days a week.

Requirements

6-8 years of total relevant experience, such as airborne or space-based imaging payloads, cameras, or telescopes.
3+ years relevant experience in assembly, integration, alignment, and test of optical instruments, telescopes, and/or optics in fields such as defense, aerospace, automotive, biomedical, or related
Experience leveraging scientific tools based in Zemax, MATLAB, Python and/or C/C++ to advance design maturity and analyze system performance
Hands-on, can-do attitude, great interpersonal skills, and ability to collaborate effectively
First hand experience working with external vendors, suppliers, and integrators
Experience in recording detailed and accurate test descriptions and data summaries
Experience in driving the definition and execution of Ground Support Equipment (GSE)
Experience in manufacturing and production environments, including New Product Implementation (NPI)
Practical experience troubleshooting and debugging complex systems
Educational background in Optical Engineering or equivalent experience

Nice To Haves

Experience with visible, multispectral or hyperspectral imaging systems
Experience with space flight program lifecycle stages including design, assembly, integration and test, or flight operations of imaging or camera hardware
Experience with collecting large amounts of data, data storage and data manipulation
Experience collaborating in a technical manner across organizational and functional boundaries to deliver capability to users
MS/PhD in EE, CS, AA or relevant scientific/engineering field

Responsibilities

Coordinating and executing key optical manufacturing activities, such as optical metrology and alignment activities for telescope and sensor integration and troubleshooting
Understanding and executing warm and cold alignment and performance testing of imaging spectrometers, telescopes, and end-to-end instruments
Writing test plans and performing analysis of measured data for alignment and calibration of imaging systems
Developing and expanding upon test software and electrical ground support equipment (GSE) for the characterization and automation of alignment and performance testing
Coordinating and performing optomechanical manufacturing activities, such as bonding and fixturing
Organize and participate in integration & test activities in cleanroom environments
Leading the continued design, manufacturing, testing, and operation of advanced imaging payloads
Collaborating with external partners to transfer advanced imaging expertise into Planet to establish a vibrant and financially sustainable platform
Providing technical oversight of external vendors