Design, develop, and optimize advanced optics and coatings for space vehicles and payloads, bridging theory and manufacturing to deliver flight‑qualified components.
Compensation
Base Pay Range for: CO applicants is $144,179.00 - $201,849.90
Responsibilities
Design and model optics with multi‑layer thin‑film coating stacks using simulation software
Develop, scale, and optimize PVD processes for high‑performance coatings
Support environmental testing protocols for space‑environment qualification
Test and analyze spectral performance with spectrophotometers, ellipsometers, and interferometers
Diagnose coating defects and improve yield using statistical methods
Requirements
Bachelor's in Optical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or related field
Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or related field
Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or related field
Nice to have: Coatings for space‑flight hardware, satellite optics, high‑power laser systems
Durchführung von Zwischen- und Endprüfungen von optischen Komponenten und Baugruppen nach Prüfplänen, Zeichnungen und Spezifikationen, inklusive Wareneingangsprüfungen, Erstbemusterungen, Sicht-, Maß- und Funktionsprüfungen, Anwendung moderner optischer Messtechnik, visuelle Oberflächeninspektion, Dokumentation von Prüfergebnissen, Bewertung von Bauteilen, Reklamationsbearbeitung und Abstimmung mit Lieferanten.
Responsibilities
Durchführung von Zwischen- und Endprüfungen von optischen Komponenten und Baugruppen
Durchführung von Wareneingangsprüfungen und Erstbemusterungen neuer Teile
Durchführung von Sicht-, Maß- und Funktionsprüfungen an hochpräzisen optischen Komponenten
Anwendung moderner optischer Messtechnik
Durchführung einer visuellen Oberflächeninspektion nach DIN ISO 10110-7 oder MIL
Requirements
Abgeschlossene technische Ausbildung (z. B. Feinoptiker, Optiker oder vergleichbar)
Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
Represent the optical system in program‑level, cross‑disciplinary trades and issue resolution
Define requirements for high‑performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions
Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing
Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or other engineering/STEM discipline
Nice to have: Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
Nice to have: Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax
Nice to have: Hands‑on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of laser communication systems
Nice to have: Knowledge of lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optical component testing/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles
Responsible for free‑space optical system design, validation, and operation for Starlink satellite laser communications.
Compensation
Pay Range:
Level 1: $105,000.00 - $145,000.00
Level 2: $120,000.00 - $175,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Responsibilities
Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
Represent the optical system in program‑level, cross‑disciplinary trades and issue resolution
Define requirements for high‑performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions
Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing
Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or other engineering/STEM discipline
Nice to have: Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
Nice to have: experience leading development of commercial communications products
Nice to have: experience with hardware development for high‑reliability applications
Nice to have: experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking
Responsible for the daily execution, monitoring, and continuous improvement of production processes to ensure stable product quality, high efficiency, and compliance. The role involves process parameter control for polishing, gluing, curing, cleaning, end-face detection, and optical performance testing of fiber optic connectors.
Responsibilities
Strictly comply with EHS requirements and company regulations; guide and supervise onsite operations following safety standards.
Monitor and check daily process parameters for polishing, gluing, curing, cleaning, end-face detection, insertion/return loss testing, and assembly.
Respond promptly to process anomalies (scratches, dirt, radius deviations, loss issues, etc.); perform initial analysis and containment measures.
Assist process engineers in root cause analysis (5Why, fishbone) and implement corrective/preventive actions.
Coordinate process experiments and validation including DOE, first article confirmation, NPI, and validation of equipment/material changes.
Fabricate high‑precision optical components for semiconductor photolithography machines, maintaining safety, quality, and continuous improvement in a clean‑room environment.
Compensation
The current base annual salary range for this role is currently: $38,100 - $69,850
Responsibilities
Fabricate optical components using CNC milling, grinding, polishing, deposition, and assembly
Operate advanced metrology equipment to inspect optical characteristics
Maintain equipment, tooling, and 5S standards
Identify and report unsafe conditions and quality concerns
Support production schedule and collaborate with engineering and manufacturing teams
Requirements
High school diploma or GED
Associate degree in a vocational trade (preferred)
Nice to have: Associate degree in a vocational trade
Nice to have: Previous experience in a manufacturing facility
Lead the design, validation, and operation of free‑space optical systems for Starlink satellite laser communications.
Compensation
Pay Range:
Level 3: $140,000.00 - $235,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Responsibilities
Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
Represent the optical system in program‑level, cross‑disciplinary trades and issue resolution
Define requirements for high‑performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions
Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing
Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or other engineering/STEM discipline
Nice to have: Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
Nice to have: hands‑on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of laser communication systems
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