🕒 yesterday
Leads medical device development from concept through commercialization and sustaining, owning design controls, verification, validation, regulatory evidence, and technical direction across cross-functional teams.
Sr. Optomechanical Engineer, Laser Communications
🕒 2 days ago
Optomechanical EngineeringPhotonicsPrecision Mechanical DesignPrecision Tolerancing
📜 Description
- Architect, design, and document opto-mechanical systems and precision assemblies for photonic subsystems.
- Lead design, analysis, and validation of high-performance wavefront sensors; perform STOP and FEA analyses to protect optical alignment and performance.
- Integrate lasers, waveguides, fiber optics, detectors, and WDM systems with optical, electrical, and software teams.
- Develop adaptive-optics control simulations and atmospheric turbulence models to assess wavefront error.
- Own mechanical integration, tolerance stack-ups, prototyping, assembly, testing, and hands-on troubleshooting.
- Support design reviews and product development from concept through production and deployment.
🛠️ Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in optomechanical engineering, preferably in photonics, aerospace, or precision instrumentation.
- Strong proficiency in mechanical design fundamentals, including precision tolerancing and alignment-sensitive assemblies.
- Experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks, NX, or similar).
- Experience designing systems involving optical or photonic components (e.g., fiber optics, lasers, detectors).
- Familiarity with FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or similar) for structural and thermal analysis.
- Hands-on experience with fabrication, machining, and assembly of precision systems.
- Ability to read technical drawings and collaborate across disciplines.
- Strong debugging and problem-solving skills, especially in multidisciplinary systems.
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced, iterative development environments.
- Experience with photonics systems, including fiber alignment, laser stabilization, and optical coupling techniques.
✨ Benefits
- Competitive compensation aligned with industry standards and experience.
- Stock options.
- Unlimited PTO for exempt employees and paid holidays.
- Medical coverage with 100% of employee premiums paid by the employer.
- Dental coverage with 100% of employee premiums paid by the employer.
- Vision coverage with 100% of employee premiums paid by the employer.
Full job description
About Observable Space
At Observable Space, we're redefining how humanity observes and connects with the universe. We're a vertically integrated, high-growth, space technology company building industry-leading precision optics platforms for Earth and in space. Our systems are trusted by thousands of customers, including NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, RTX, the US Space Force and the U.S. Department of War, leading research institutions and international partners.
We combine precision opto-mechanical hardware, embedded compute, cloud orchestration, and developer-friendly APIs into world class products at scale with in-house manufacturing. From advanced ground stations, on-orbit sensor suites, free space optical lasercom, to distributed compute platforms, we deliver the foundational systems enabling continuous, real-time navigation, observation, and communication in space.
Observable Space is backed by top-tier institutional investors including Lux Capital, Upfront Ventures, RTX Ventures, Detroit Venture Partners and Embedded Ventures. To learn more, visit observable.space.
About the Role
You will design, build, and test precision optomechanical hardware for ground-based laser communication systems and future space-based optical payloads. This is a hands-on role spanning fiber coupling, beam steering, and optical sensing. You will work closely with optical, electrical, and software engineers to take your hardware designs from concept through production.
What You'll Do
Design and build precision optical assemblies, including fiber-coupling hardware, optical benches, flexures, and kinematic mounts.
Develop and validate complex optomechanical hardware including laser systems, fast steering mirrors, actuators, advanced sensors for pointing and adaptive optics controls.
Develop tolerance budgets and alignment procedures, contribute to pointing-error budgets, and support FEA simulations of structural, thermal, and vibration performance.
Perform hands-on assembly, alignment, integration, and testing, troubleshooting issues across optics, mechanics, electronics, and controls.
Prepare designs for mass production and deployment, addressing manufacturability, reliability, and environmental robustness.
Basic Qualifications
5+ years of experience in optomechanical engineering or precision mechanical design involving optical hardware.
Proficiency with CAD tools such as SolidWorks or NX, with strong fundamentals in precision tolerancing and mechanical design.
Hands-on experience building, aligning, and troubleshooting precision assemblies, with a working knowledge of machining and fabrication processes.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting designs for Lasercom / Free-space optical communications, pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT), or adaptive optics (AO).
Finite element analysis (FEA) or structural, thermal, and optical performance (STOP) analysis.
Materials selection for thermal stability and environmental compatibility, or optical cleanliness and contamination control.
Python or MATLAB for analysis, alignment, or test automation.
What We Offer
Competitive Compensation – A salary package aligned with industry standards and your experience.
Equity Opportunities – Take part in our success with stock options.
Flexible Work Environment – Enjoy working from our office or in a hybrid work setup with the flexibility to work remotely part of the week. We require a minimum of 3 days per week in our office to support collaboration and team culture. (LA Office only)
Unlimited PTO (exempt only) – Take the time you need with our flexible, trust-based vacation policy, including paid holidays. We encourage everyone to rest, recharge, and take care of themselves.
Health & Wellness – Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with 100% of the premium paid by the employer for employees.
Cutting-Edge Tools – Get access to the latest hardware and software you need to do your best work.
Mission-Driven Culture – Be part of a team working on meaningful challenges with real-world impact.
Inclusive Team – We foster a supportive and diverse workplace where all voices are valued.
Observable Space is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
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