Sr. Optical Engineer (Starfall)
Core
Design, validate, and operate free-space optical systems for a visible-camera and IR navigation sensor to enable human life on Mars.
Role type
Senior IC optical engineer (navigation systems)
Builds
High-reliability electro-optical navigation sensors for space missions
Domain
Aerospace / Optics & Photonics
Deliverable
production ML models | product features
Required skills
Optical system design, photonics, infrared sensing, system-level architecture, trade studies, mentorship, opto-mechanical design, mixed-signal circuit design, FPGA design, signal integrity analysis, precision metrology, risk assessment
Preferred skills
Zemax proficiency, high-volume product development, atmospheric optical effects knowledge, Python scripting, Linux environment, autonomous decision-making in data-scarce environments
Technologies
Zemax, C++, MATLAB, Python, Linux, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DDR4, I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, ADCs, DACs
Responsibilities
Drive product vision and system-level architecture for navigation sensors; lead optical architecture definition through trade studies and risk-reduction testing; design next-generation optical/IR sensor hardware for high-rate manufacturing; mentor engineers and raise technical standards; oversee verification testing (environmental, performance, reliability, fault-injection); lead field testing and anomaly investigation; define performance budgets and system capabilities; collaborate on automated testing tools and protocols; communicate technical direction to program leadership
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC with mentorship responsibilities
