Optical Engineer - Airborne

Welcome to Matter, where we are building the future of vision AI: pairing a world-first sensor that sees molecular chemistry, temperature, and 3D shape with a Large World Model that will be the most powerful intelligence engine for the physical world. This system doesn't just see what something looks like; it understands everything from a single pixel. We call this Superintelligent Vision.

Our team has delivered technologies to Mars for NASA/JPL, designed advanced sensors for U.S. Defense, and built core infrastructure at OpenAI. We are now building the next generation of space- and airborne-based sensing systems.

Matter is hiring an Optical Engineer focused on airborne systems to help design, integrate, calibrate, and operate the optical path for our airborne sensing payload. This role will work across optical design, optomechanics, calibration, systems engineering, and flight test.

• Generate optical designs and system trade studies for advanced electro-optic sensors, balancing performance, manufacturability, and end-user utility across the required spectral range.

• Decompose system requirements into optical system and subsystem requirements; derive optical specifications, drawings, interfaces, alignment approaches, tolerances, and performance budgets with adjacent engineering teams.

• Perform optical analysis—including image simulation, radiometry, stop analysis, and stray-light analysis—and plan and execute optical assembly, alignment, characterization, calibration, and integration activities.

• Support the design of optical test equipment, environmental, ground, and flight testing; analyze results, investigate performance gaps, and lead root-cause efforts.

• Participate in design reviews and document optical requirements, test methods, calibration results, as-built optical designs, and configuration changes.

• Advanced degree in optics, physics, engineering, mathematics, or a related field, with a strong foundation in optical engineering and experience applying it to physical systems.

• Proficiency with Zemax or equivalent optical design and analysis software, along with experience in optical alignment, characterization, calibration, laboratory test methods, and design of test equipment and validation procedures.

• Experience with stray-light analysis in FRED or equivalent, modeling optical alignment procedures, and using performance-prediction tools for novel optical systems.

• Hands-on experience building and aligning optical assemblies, with a cross-functional approach to integration and troubleshooting.

• Experience with airborne imaging, spectroscopy, remote sensing, or precision optical instruments; familiarity with diffractive or meta-optics applications, manufacturing, and modeling.

• Experience working across broad spectral ranges and tightly constrained payload packaging.

• Familiarity with flight test, environmental test, and calibration under operational conditions.

• The airborne optical system meets defined performance and calibration requirements.

• Alignment and calibration processes are repeatable, documented, and practical for field operations.

• Flight-test data is translated quickly into clear root causes and design or process improvements.

This role is based in El Segundo, CA, and requires onsite work.

To comply with U.S. export regulations, applicants must be one of the following:

• A U.S. citizen or national

• A lawful permanent resident (green card holder)

• Eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

At Matter, we believe in rewarding high performance and providing the support you need to thrive. Our compensation and benefits package includes:

• Competitive compensation based on experience

• Early-stage equity package

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage

• Opportunity to work on novel sensing, data, and AI systems with real-world deployment paths to the largest industries in the world

Matter Intelligence is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who can raise the ambition and performance of the team.