Sr. Space Lasers Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

1d•$140,000 - $235,000

About The Position

The Starlink Space Lasers team develops, produces, and deploys satellite free-space optical communication systems. The Sr. Space Lasers Engineer will contribute to the development of laser communications terminals and imaging products for Starlink satellites. The role combines theoretical expertise and practical implementation to solve complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained systems. The engineer is responsible for free-space optical system design, validation, and operation. The position helps shape laser communication systems and supports mission-critical applications, including next-generation star tracking for precise navigation in space environments. The role involves defining optical architectures and requirements, testing and investigating anomalies, and working across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, software, automation, reliability, management, customer, and vendor teams.

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, or internship experience qualifies.
At least 1 year of experience with a programming language such as C++, MATLAB, or Python.
Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

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 in system design, integration, and testing of laser communication systems.
Knowledge of and experience with lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optical 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 final 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 eligibility for 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, 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.
Potential accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Washington State paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law for employees in Washington State.
Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office, Monday to Friday.