Sr. Electrical Engineer, Photonics

The role

You will design, integrate, and validate photonic and electro-optical systems for ground-based telescopes and on-orbit optical payloads. This role involves owning electrical design for optical sensors, detectors, laser-based systems, and high-speed signal chains.

What you will do

• Design and develop electrical systems for photonic and electro-optical subsystems
• Own schematic capture, PCB design, and bring-up for low-noise analog and mixed-signal circuits
• Develop and optimize signal chains for photodetectors
• Design for signal integrity and low-noise performance in high-sensitivity optical systems
• Bring up and validate high-speed interfaces
• Collaborate with optical engineers to define electrical interfaces and performance requirements
• Support integration and test of electro-optical systems
• Develop and execute validation and qualification plans for hardware in harsh environments
• Select components and materials compatible with space and high-reliability applications
• Contribute to system architecture decisions

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience
• 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering with a focus on photonics, electro-optical systems, or high-performance sensor design
• Strong proficiency in analog and mixed-signal circuit design, particularly for low-noise and high-speed applications
• Experience designing and debugging PCBs, including schematic capture, layout collaboration, and board bring-up
• Hands-on experience with photodetectors, imaging sensors, or optical instrumentation and their associated signal chains
• Familiarity with high-speed interfaces and data acquisition systems used in imaging or sensing applications
• Strong understanding of signal integrity, noise analysis, grounding, shielding, and power distribution in sensitive systems
• Experience using lab instrumentation such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators to debug complex systems
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, debug at the electrical level, and work closely with cross-functional teams
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, iterative hardware environments with rapid design-build-test cycles
• Strong product mindset with an emphasis on reliability, robustness, and performance in real-world conditions

Nice to have

• Experience with space-based or aerospace electro-optical systems, including radiation-aware design considerations
• Familiarity with laser systems, optical communications, or lidar-related technologies
• Experience with FPGA-based data acquisition or high-throughput signal processing pipelines
• Experience with camera systems, image sensors, and end-to-end imaging pipelines
• Exposure to optomechanical integration and alignment-sensitive system design
• Experience with hardware-in-the-loop testing or automated lab infrastructure
• Background in astronomy, astrophysics, or scientific instrumentation
• Passion for building systems that expand our understanding of space and the physical world

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation
• Equity Opportunities
• Flexible Work Environment
• Unlimited PTO (Salaried positions only)
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of the premium paid by the employer
• Cutting-Edge Tools
• Mission-Driven Culture
• Inclusive Team

About the company

Observable Space is a vertically integrated, high-growth, space technology company building precision optics platforms for Earth and in space. They deliver foundational systems enabling continuous, real-time navigation, observation, and communication in space.