Sr. Space Lasers Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

The role

You will design, validate, and operate free-space optical systems. This includes developing laser communication terminals and imaging products for Starlink satellites.

What you will do

• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development
• Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
• Define requirements for high-performant optical systems
• Lead optical architecture definition through trade studies and risk reduction testing
• Participate in verification testing including environmental qualification and reliability testing
• Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems
• Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
• Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
• Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams
• Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop testing tools

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or other engineering/STEM discipline
• 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or precision mechanical design or testing
• 1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)
• Working extended hours and weekends as needed

Nice to have

• Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
• Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax
• Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of laser communication systems
• Knowledge of and experience in lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles
• Knowledge of and experience in free-space optical principles, optical component testing/troubleshooting techniques, precision metrology techniques, manufacturing and integration processes
• Experience leading development of commercial communications products
• Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
• Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking
• Knowledge of and experience in atmospheric optical effects
• Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data

Benefits

• Company stock or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• Company shuttles from select Seattle locations to the Redmond office
• Various other discounts and perks

Before you apply

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, o

About the company

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.