Telescope Opto-mechanical Engineer

LV8D Solutions•Chantilly, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

LV8D Solutions is seeking a Telescope Opto-mechanical Engineer with Space Domain Operations experience to support a dynamic space program office in Chantilly, VA. This role provides technical expertise and systems engineering support for the development, integration, and sustainment of advanced space-based optical payloads and telescope systems. The engineer will act as a key interface between government stakeholders and industry partners, fostering collaboration across multiple vendors to enhance interoperability, mitigate program risk, and maximize future mission flexibility. The successful candidate will contribute to the maturation of advanced telescope technologies, manage cross-vendor interface coordination, and help develop common engineering approaches for improved interchangeability in future spacecraft builds. A strong technical background in optical and opto-mechanical systems, systems integration, and effective collaboration across government, contractor, and industry organizations is essential.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
9+ years of experience supporting optical systems, telescope development, spacecraft payloads, opto-mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or aerospace programs.
Experience working with optical payloads, telescope systems, precision mechanical systems, or space-based imaging technologies.
Knowledge of systems engineering principles, interface management processes, and integration activities.
Experience supporting technical reviews, design assessments, and engineering coordination across multiple organizations.
Ability to evaluate technical tradeoffs and develop recommendations that balance performance, risk, schedule, and cost considerations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with experience presenting technical information to government and industry stakeholders.
Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse engineering teams and organizations.
U.S. Citizenship
Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance
Active Counterintelligence (CI) or Full Scope (FS) Polygraph

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with optical payload integration, telescope manufacturing processes, precision alignment techniques, and environmental testing.
Experience with Interface Control Documents (ICDs), requirements management, and configuration control processes.
Knowledge of optical performance modeling, structural analysis, thermal analysis, or optical system design principles.
Experience supporting vendor management, technical interchange meetings, and government-industry partnerships.
Familiarity with technology readiness assessments, acquisition planning, and transition of emerging technologies into operational programs.
Experience supporting multi-vendor development environments and complex spacecraft integration efforts.

Responsibilities

Facilitate the transfer of knowledge related to advanced telescope technologies, optical systems, and opto-mechanical architectures between government organizations and industry partners.
Serve as a technical liaison between government stakeholders and telescope vendors to ensure effective communication, collaboration, and alignment of engineering objectives.
Manage and coordinate telescope interface requirements across multiple industry vendors to maximize component and subsystem interchangeability for future spacecraft developments.
Evaluate and adjudicate interface recommendations, technical trades, and design feedback from industry partners to reduce non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs and improve future integration efficiency.
Support the development, maintenance, and configuration management of telescope interface definitions, technical standards, and engineering baselines.
Participate in opto-mechanical design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and engineering assessments throughout the system lifecycle.
Support integration planning activities for telescope assemblies, optical payloads, and spacecraft interfaces.
Collaborate with government and industry teams to identify opportunities for common architectures, modular designs, and standardized interfaces that improve mission flexibility and acquisition efficiency.
Contribute to technology maturation efforts by assessing emerging optical technologies, evaluating readiness levels, and identifying transition opportunities into future programs.
Coordinate technical activities among multiple vendors, government organizations, and engineering teams to support schedule, performance, and mission objectives.
Support risk assessments, trade studies, and engineering analyses associated with telescope integration and performance.
Develop technical documentation, interface control products, engineering recommendations, and executive-level briefings to support program decision-making.

Benefits

Performance & Recognition
Period of Performance (PoP) Bonus Opportunities
Performance-based bonus opportunities tied to contract or organizational performance.
Retention Incentive Benefit Bounty
Receive a payout for unused annual company contributions designated for health insurance premiums and professional training.
Referral Bonus
Earn up to $5,000 for each successful employee referral.
Customer Recognition Letter of Appreciation (LoA) Bonus Opportunities
Bonus opportunities based on customer recognition received through Letters of Appreciation.
Milestone Rewards
Celebrate your career achievements with anniversary awards on your 1st, 5th, 10th, and 20th years of service.
Financial & Retirement Benefits
Profit Sharing
Receive an annual contribution equal to 4% of your W-2 gross earnings into your 401 (k), with immediate vesting.
401(k) Company Match
The company matches your 401 (k) contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 6% of your monthly contribution, with immediate vesting.
Career Development
The company invests in your professional growth through:
Annual financial support for professional training and industry certifications.
Enhanced financial support for employees actively pursuing a degree at an accredited institution.
Work-Life Balance
Support for a healthy work-life balance includes:
Flexible work hours
Competitive paid time off (PTO)
Company holidays
Health & Wellness Benefits
The company offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family.
Medical Coverage
Three comprehensive Medical/Rx insurance plan options to meet the unique and individualized benefit needs of our employees
Dental & Vision
Comprehensive dental insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
Comprehensive vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
Income Protection
100% Company-Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
100% Company-Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
100% Company-Paid Basic Term Life Insurance with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
Optional employee-paid Supplemental Voluntary Life Insurance.