Optical Engineer, Test & Metrology

The role

You will design and run tests to verify laser and optical communications hardware. This involves building test setups, aligning optics, and taking measurements in a lab environment.

What you will do

• Build, align, and operate optical test setups for free-space, fiber-optic, and interferometric components and subassemblies.
• Measure optical performance and reduce data into clear results.
• Develop and execute test plans and procedures.
• Support testing as hardware moves through integration.
• Operate test equipment including OSAs, optical power meters, oscilloscopes, BER testers, beam profilers, wavefront sensors, and interferometers.
• Write scripts to automate measurements and data analysis.
• Investigate anomalies and feed findings back into the design.
• Support field campaigns including ground station setup and validation of pointing, acquisition, and tracking.
• Follow laser safety procedures and maintain test records.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in an optics or photonics lab environment.
• Experience with precision benchtop optical alignment.
• Experience operating standard optical test equipment (power meters, OSAs, oscilloscopes, beam profilers).
• Working knowledge of optics fundamentals: Gaussian beams, fiber coupling, polarization, and interferometry.
• Experience analyzing measurement data in Python or a similar language.
• Familiarity with Class 3B and Class 4 laser safety practices.

Nice to have

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Optics, Photonics, or a related field.
• Experience with high-power fiber laser or amplifier systems.
• Experience with free-space optical communications, coherent detection, or BER testing.
• Experience assembling precision opto-mechanical hardware, including interferometric or polarization-sensitive assemblies.
• Experience with wavefront or interferometric metrology (Shack-Hartmann sensors, Fizeau interferometers).
• Experience with instrument control and test automation (PyVISA, LabVIEW, or similar).
• Exposure to environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration) of optical hardware.

Benefits

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• Unlimited paid time off
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance if applicable
• Daily lunch in the office
• Fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

Before you apply

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Departmen

About the company

Cowboy Space Corporation is building infrastructure for space-based solar energy. The company is based in San Carlos, CA.