2027 Optical Payload Engineer Intern

The role

You will facilitate the integration of EO Payloads on spacecraft platforms from concept to on-orbit execution. This involves payload system engineering, performance modeling, laboratory testing, and mission operations.

What you will do

• Perform concept designs of active and passive EO payloads
• Derive system and unit level requirements
• Analyze performance with an understanding of payload technology and related physics
• Identify payload key performance parameters and create test plans and procedures
• Perform hands-on characterization and calibration of flight hardware using optical test equipment
• Author Interface Control Documents covering electrical, data, algorithmic, mechanical, thermal, and optical interfaces
• Facilitate communication between engineering teams to resolve integration trades
• Define and develop payload data calibration algorithms and data products
• Define on-orbit calibration sequences and initialization procedures
• Assist assembly and integration campaigns for space systems flight hardware

Required qualifications

• Must be pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Must be returning to school at the end of the internship to continue academic studies for at least one quarter or semester
• Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities
• Ability to complete an in-person 12-week internship in one of our offices in summer 2027

Nice to have

• Experience conducting assembly, integration and test of space payload flight hardware
• Understanding of professional optical test equipment, tools and methodologies
• Experience with advanced payload analyses including photon transfer, dark current, radiometry, responsivity, distortion mapping, boresight alignments, non-uniformity corrections, point spread function
• Ability to quickly understand and navigate complex systems and detailed requirements
• Capable of solving complex technical problems with little oversight
• Clear communication and organizational skills including documentation and training material
• Exposure to writing technical documentation, procedures, and reports
• Experience with ImageJ, Python, MATLAB
• Experience with optical test equipment from Labsphere, 4D Technologies, Leica, SORL, and other industry leaders
• Experience with stray light, depth of focus, and supplementary payload analyses

Benefits

• Comprehensive, competitive benefits package available at little to no cost to employees

Before you apply

• U.S. clearance eligibility may be required depending on program
• Consent to pre-employment risk, integrity, and due diligence screening

About the company

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. Their family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system.