Senior Optical Communications Engineer

The role

You will own the end-to-end architecture, design, development, and delivery of a deep-space optical communications terminal. You will translate mission needs into system performance requirements and drive implementation through in-house design or external partnerships.

What you will do

• Own the end-to-end architecture, design, development, and delivery of a deep-space optical communications terminal
• Translate mission needs into system performance requirements
• Develop architectures
• Drive implementation through in-house design or external partnerships
• Lead hands-on development campaigns to evaluate key technologies, derisk interfaces, and validate performance
• Work across internal and external teams to turn concepts into hardware

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in laser communications, optical systems engineering, or spacecraft communications system development
• Proven ability to take complex technical systems from concept through qualification, integration, and operational deployment
• Hands-on proficiency in electromechanical prototyping, including integration of optics, electronics, and mechanical subsystems such as gimbals, pointing mechanisms, and precision mounts
• Deep understanding of optical communications subsystems, including pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT); modems; and photonic hardware
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize technical details and drive decision-making across engineering and program teams

Nice to have

• Experience with spaceflight hardware environmental testing and qualification
• Familiarity with NASA or commercial spacecraft systems engineering processes in an applied / New-Space manner
• Experience with deep-space or high-radiation avionics systems

Benefits

• Competitive salary and equity
• Generous PTO and sick leave policy
• Parental leave
• Annual learning and development stipend

About the company

Relativity Space is building rockets to serve today’s needs and tomorrow’s breakthroughs. The company is developing the Terran R vehicle to deliver customer payloads to orbit.