Optical Test Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

About the role

SpaceX is leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world's largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth.

Realizing this vision demands highly reliable, high performance electrical hardware ranging from power electronics, high speed digital systems, mixed signal designs, robust avionics, networking, and custom compute electronics. These systems must operate in the extreme environment of space while delivering the connectivity, control, power distribution, and processing needed for orbital AI inference.

As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we're looking for best-in-class engineers to join the team.

As an Optical Test Engineer you will be responsible for designing, building, and operating optical metrology equipment to validate optical flight hardware. This role will interface closely with the design and production teams to validate that hardware meets the design intent. In this role, you will need to automate test procedures and data collection for high volume products, as well as train other team members on the operation of optical test and metrology equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and operate optical metrology and test systems
• Use test data to troubleshoot issues with optical flight hardware
• Automate optical test equipment and data collection
• Instruct technicians on operation of test equipment
• Inform optical flight hardware designs to enable efficient test operations
• Apply optics and photonics knowledge to laser communication system trades and component development, including design, analysis, and validation
• Participate in validation testing, including performance characterization, lot acceptance testing, design qualification testing and reliability testing
• Develop test plans and maintain design specifications and capabilities data
• Design test fixtures for engineering and production tests
• Develop production procedures and processes and manage the transition of parts and assemblies from development to high-rate production
• Execute design for manufacturability changes to enhance production efficiency

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics or an engineering discipline
• 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology (university lab, student project, or internship experience qualifies)

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
• Hands-on experience with optical test equipment (power meters, interferometers, laser sources, etc.)
• Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as ZEMAX
• Knowledge of and experience in lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optical alignment/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles
• Knowledge of and experience in digital communication protocols, test and measurement, and troubleshooting
• Experience designing and building custom optical assemblies
• Experience designing, developing, or testing space qualified hardware
• Basic proficiency in CAD and knowledge of mechanical engineering fundamentals
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C/C++) and software version control
• Strong sense of accountability and integrity
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Additional Requirements

• Ability to lift heavy objects, up to 25 Ibs. unassisted
• Willing to work weekend and extended hours as needed

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.