Pointing and Tracking Optomechanical Engineer

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** Role
* * Own the productization of compact pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) optomechanical subsystems for Azora's modular optical ground stations and space terminals. You will guide the process of fine-steering and coarse-pointing systems from commercial prototype through field qualification, ensuring microradian-class stability no matter the weather or platform where the Azora systems are located.###
** Responsibilities
* ** Design optomechanical assemblies for beam steering: gimbals, fast-steering mirrors (FSMs), telescope mounts, relay optics, and fiber-coupling stages.
* Perform structural, thermal, and STOP (structural-thermal-optical performance) analysis to verify line-of-sight stability and wavefront error budgets.
* Develop pointing error budgets covering base motion, jitter, thermal drift, and control-loop residuals, and flow them down to component requirements.
* Design, select and qualify actuators, encoders, bearings, and flexures for ground and space environments.
* Lead alignment, integration, and test of optical assemblies in the field.
* Support acquisition and tracking field campaigns at ground station sites, including troubleshooting under real atmospheric conditions.
* Work closely with software, electrical and network engineers to close the loop between lab-based mechanical design and to autonomous optical communications with space assets.###
** Required Qualifications
*** BSc or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
* 3+ years of optomechanical design experience for precision optical systems (laser communications, telescopes, directed energy, or similar).
* Proficiency with CAD (Solid Works, NX, Creo, or similar) and FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or similar).
* Hands-on experience aligning and testing optical assemblies in a lab environment.
* Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and precision machining practices.###
** Preferred
* ** Experience with fast-steering mirrors, gimbal design, or telescope pointing systems.
* Familiarity with STOP analysis workflows and optical design tools (Zemax/Optic Studio, CODE V).
* Experience qualifying hardware for launch and on-orbit environments (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum).
* Field experience with optical ground stations or astronomical instrumentation.
** Location
* * This is an onsite/hybrid role based in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA – hardware work that’s hard to do remotely. Some travel expected for field deployment and vendor/manufacturing visits.
** Benefits:
*** Generous equity
* Competitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)
* 401(k)
* Unlimited PTO
** EEO & Reasonable Accommodations**
* * Azora is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.*
* * If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know by contacting
* * infoce
* ** Export Control
** To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.