Space Lasers Engineer (Starlink)

SpaceX-posted 3 months ago
$100,000 - $135,000/Yr
Full-time • Entry Level
Redmond, WA
1,001-5,000 employees
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The Starlink Space Lasers team develops, produces, and deploys the most cutting-edge satellite free-space optical communication systems in the world. We are looking for engineers to contribute to the development of laser communications terminals for the groundbreaking constellation of Starlink satellites. Laser communication is a highly valuable technology due to the high data bandwidth and high spatial efficiency, which requires engineering precise and high-performance electro-optical and optomechanical systems. As a laser communications engineer, you will be responsible for free-space optical communication system design, validation, and operation. You will help shape the near-earth laser communication system baseline. You will build a reliable, efficient, high-data-rate laser communication system by leading optical system design and verification. Your optical expertise will shape SpaceX’s capabilities to transmit high-rate data around the world via laser communication systems.

  • Apply optics and photonics knowledge to laser communication system development, including design, analysis, and validation
  • Represent the laser communications system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
  • Define requirements for high-data-rate laser communication systems in challenging environmental conditions
  • Lead laser communication 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 final designs can be produced in accordance with overall project goals
  • Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop test and production scripts and tools
  • Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors
  • Bachelor’s degree in physics or an engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or precision mechanical design or testing (university lab, student project, or internship experience qualifies)
  • 1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, LabVIEW, and/or Python)
  • 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 test of laser communication systems
  • Knowledge of and experience in lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles
  • Knowledge of and experience in free-space optical principles, optical component testing/troubleshooting techniques, precision metrology techniques, 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 in 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 (power meters, interferometer, 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
  • Pay range: Space Lasers Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year
  • Pay range: Space Lasers Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year
  • Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
  • Potential discretionary bonuses
  • Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
  • Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
  • Short and long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid parental leave
  • Various other discounts and perks
  • Accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation
  • Eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year
  • Eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year
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