Principal Optical Systems Engineer

1 hour, 51 minutes ago
Full-time
Lead
IoT and Embedded Systems

K2 Space Corporation

K2 Space builds high-powered satellite platforms and satellite buses for missions across LEO, MEO, and GEO, emphasizing higher payload power, large payload mass, vertical integration, and in-house manufacturing.

Defense and Space Manufacturing
51-200
Founded 2022
$180M raised

Description

  • Define system architecture, SNR budgets, and system-specific optical models such as stray light and fiber coupling.
  • Perform detailed optical design and tolerancing for optical benches and payload subsystems.
  • Develop risk-reduction plans, test strategies, and overall development timelines.
  • Lead environmental qualification, reliability testing, laboratory characterization, and system-level validation.
  • Support mission readiness and on-orbit commissioning of optical payloads.
  • Collaborate with optical and satellite bus teams to determine feasibility and system requirements.
  • Prepare and present design reviews to secure stakeholder alignment across hardware, software, test, and manufacturing teams.
  • Forecast staffing needs, define team roles, and interview candidates for the optical payloads team.
  • Mentor engineers, scope work, provide feedback, and review technical deliverables.
  • Evaluate manufacturing equipment and work with production teams to develop factory layouts, work instructions, in-process checks, and end-of-line tests.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 8+ years of experience in the design, manufacture, and test of optical systems.
  • Experience designing and deploying optical systems across the full product lifecycle, including requirements generation, design, analysis, tolerance, procurement, build, alignment, test, deployment, and operation.
  • Familiarity with high-volume manufacturing, including design for manufacturability, supply chain management, and productionizing assembly and test processes (preferred).
  • Experience with optical mechanisms, including requirements definition, feedback and actuation methods, basic controls analysis, mechanism error quantification, and system-level testing (preferred).
  • Deep knowledge of electro-optical sensing technologies such as focal plane arrays and photodiodes, including non-idealities, noise mechanisms, mitigations, testing, characterization, and system integration (preferred).
  • Experience conducting experimental research, data analysis, and visualizing complex datasets (preferred).
  • Understanding of failure modes of electrical, mechanical, and optical systems in the space environment (preferred).
  • Ability to work in an export-controlled environment and meet ITAR/U.S. person requirements.
  • Encouragement to apply even without 100% of the preferred skills and experience.

Benefits

  • Base salary range of $190,000 to $280,000 plus equity.
  • Comprehensive benefits package.
  • Paid time off.
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Life insurance.
  • Paid parental leave.
  • Additional perks and benefits.
  • Reasonable accommodation support during the application and interview process.

Interested in this position?

Apply directly on the company website

Apply Now

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