Optical Systems Engineer Verified today
The Role
K2 is building the largest and highest-power satellites ever flown. You will design, manufacture, test, and deploy optical benches across K2's optical payload suite, operating in MEO, GEO, cis-lunar, and deep space. You will be involved in every phase of your optical system's life cycle, from initial feasibility and architectural trade studies through manufacturing, ground testing, and on-orbit commissioning.
Responsibilities
- Deliver optical bench system architecture, SNR budget, and system-specific modeling (stray light, fiber coupling)
- Conduct detailed optical design and tolerancing
- Develop risk reduction timeline, division of labor, and test strategy
- Manage environmental qualification and reliability testing
- Provide technical leadership of vendors and external partners, including component qualification, supply-chain development, and transition to volume manufacturing
- Perform laboratory characterization, system-level validation, mission readiness, and on-orbit commissioning planning
- Collaborate with optical and satellite bus teams to determine feasibility and optimal system requirements
- Prepare design reviews to communicate expectations to hardware, software, test, and manufacturing teams
- Forecast staffing needs, define roles, and interview candidates to build the optical payloads team
- Mentor engineers to increase their capability and autonomy in optical system development
- Evaluate and select manufacturing equipment, develop factory layout, work instructions, in-process checkouts, and end-of-line tests for in-house fabrication and assembly
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in physics, optics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or related technical field
- 8+ years of experience in the design, manufacture, and test of optical systems
- Experience designing and deploying optical systems at every phase of the product life cycle: requirements generation, design, analysis, tolerance, procure, build, align, test, deploy, operate
Nice to Have
- Familiarity with high-volume manufacturing, design for manufacturability, supply chain management, and productionization
- Experience with optical mechanisms, feedback and actuation methods, basic controls analysis, and mechanism error quantification
- Deep knowledge of electro-optical sensing technologies including focal plane arrays and photodiodes, their non-idealities, noise mechanisms, testing and characterization
- Experience conducting experimental research, data analysis, and visualizing complex datasets
- Understanding of failure modes of electrical, mechanical, and optical systems in space environment
Compensation and Benefits
- Base salary range: $140,000 to $280,000 plus equity
- Salary based on knowledge, skills, education, and experience level
- Comprehensive benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, and paid parental leave
Export Compliance
This role requires access to items controlled by U.S. export control regulations (ITAR). You must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or certain protected individuals) or eligible for a federally issued export control license.