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.
SR. OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL)
SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical expertise, hands-on implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained environments.
As a Senior Optical Engineer, you will own free-space optical system design, validation, and operation for a navigation sensor combining a visible camera and infrared (IR) sensing. You will set product vision at the system level, lead design of optics, detectors, circuit boards, precision mechanisms, and mechanical enclosures that must survive extreme loads and the harsh environment of space, and ensure the product can be manufactured at high rate.
You will dive into technical details, drive architecture and design trades, mentor engineers, and build the team’s technical bar. Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both products and processes. You will directly contribute to mission-critical navigation applications.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Drive product vision and system-level architecture for a visible-camera and IR navigation sensor
- Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
- Define requirements for high-performance optical/IR navigation sensors in challenging environmental conditions
- Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk-reduction testing
- Drive detailed trades across optical, IR, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing constraints for high-volume production
- Design next-generation optical/IR sensor hardware for high-rate manufacturing
- Mentor optical, electrical, and systems engineers; review designs and raise the technical standard of the team
- Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
- Perform and oversee verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault-injection testing
- Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and navigation sensor systems
- Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
- Own performance budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
- Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical/IR testing
- Communicate technical direction, risks, and recommendations to program leadership
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
- 5+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design or testing
- 5+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
- Experience driving product vision and system-level trades for complex electro-optical products
- Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and lead technical teams without relying solely on formal authority
- Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax
- Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of imaging or IR systems
- Experience designing mixed-signal circuits, processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, and power supply components
- Opto-mechanical design and analysis experience with precision mounting and alignment
- Knowledge of and experience in cameras, IR detectors, 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 or high-volume products
- Designing hardware for high-reliability applications
- Experience with imaging, navigation sensing, or multi-spectral (visible + IR) systems
- Knowledge of and experience in atmospheric optical effects
- Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
- Competence with optical test equipment (power meters, interferometer, sources, cameras)
- Experience with infrared system alignment and characterization
- Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Working extended hours and weekends as needed
- Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
$165,000.00 - $230,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- 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, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or another engineering discipline
- 5+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design or testing
- 5+ years of experience in a computer programming language such as C++, MATLAB, or Python
- Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
- Experience driving product vision and system-level trades for complex electro-optical products
- Ability to mentor engineers and lead technical teams without relying solely on formal authority
- Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax
- Experience designing, integrating, and testing imaging or infrared systems
- Experience with mixed-signal circuits, processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DDR4, I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, ADCs, DACs, and power supplies
- Opto-mechanical design and analysis experience with precision mounting and alignment
- Knowledge of cameras, infrared detectors, optical troubleshooting, and signal integrity principles
- Knowledge of free-space optical principles, optical component testing, precision metrology, manufacturing, and integration processes
- Experience leading commercial or high-volume product development
- Experience designing hardware for high-reliability applications
- Experience with imaging, navigation sensing, or multispectral visible and infrared systems
- Knowledge of atmospheric optical effects
- Competence with optical test equipment including power meters, interferometers, sources, and cameras
- Experience with infrared system alignment and characterization
- Competence with Python scripting and Linux
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- U.S. person status or eligibility to obtain required ITAR authorizations
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
