Optical Engineer (Starfall)
Core
Design, validate, and operate free-space optical navigation sensors combining visible cameras and infrared (IR) sensing for space missions.
Role type
Senior IC optical engineer (navigation systems)
Builds
High-performance optical/IR navigation sensors for spacecraft
Domain
Aerospace + Photonics/Optics
Deliverable
production ML models | product features
Required skills
optical system design, photonics, infrared sensing, optical architecture definition, trade studies, environmental qualification testing, fault-injection testing, opto-mechanical design, precision metrology, mixed-signal circuit design, FPGA design, signal integrity analysis, Python scripting, Linux environment usage
Preferred skills
Zemax proficiency, high-volume product development, atmospheric optical effects analysis, risk assessment in data-scarce environments, infrared system alignment and characterization
Technologies
Zemax, C++, MATLAB, Python, Linux, FPGAs, DDR4, I2C, SPI, Ethernet, SERDES
Responsibilities
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; Perform 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
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC
