Senior Optical Communications Engineer

Ephemeris Net is a pre-seed space networking company on a mission to provide connectivity for all space users through collaborative engineering of commercial space networking solutions. We are creating the infrastructure that will enable the space internet beyond bent pipe by laying the foundational networking infrastructure that will define how data moves through space.

We are supported by ourparentincubator

Second Order Effects, institutional VCs, and our network of space advisors. As space use scales and more space native networks come online, we believe that now is the chance to build foundational infrastructure for how the internet will work inspace.

We are looking for an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of the optical systems that move data through the Ephemeris Net network, including coherent optical transceivers and the free-space optical assembly that pairs with it.

Youwillown optical hardware end to end, across both the transceiver and the free-space link. On the transceiver side, this is thefiberoptical signal chain: optical modulators, optical hybrids, photodiodes, lasers, fiber splitters, beam splitters. On the free-space side, thisincludestelescopes/beam expanders, lenses,mirrors and involves ray tracing, tolerancing, and stray light analysisrequiredto close link budgets in orbit. You will be supported bytheelectricalengineering team foroptoelectronic designand a mechanical team for opto-mechanical structure.

You will build and fly some of the most sensitive optical hardware ever deployed in space and then scale it to mass manufacturing.

This role will report to the CTO and founder, Nicolas Brown.

• Design and assemble coherenttransceiveropticsfrom components: optical modulators, optical hybrids, photodetectors
• Design the free-space optical assemblyincludingoptical design and ray tracing:tolerancing, ghost analysis, and stray light analysis to close on-orbit link budgets
• Design the fiber optical layout, including alignment fixtures and opto-mechanical packaging
• Own thetransmitand receive signal chain performance fromRFelectricaloutput through free-space launch and from free-space back toRF electrical

• Develop and execute bench-level test plans for the transceiver and free-space assembly: modulation quality (EVM, constellation diagrams), wavefront quality, noise figure, bandwidth, optical power budgets,thermalization
• Characterize coherent detection performance:receiver sensitivity, common-mode rejection, and phase noise
• Verify free-space optical performance: wavefront error, encircled energy, pointing stability, stray light rejection

• Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, applied physics, photonics, electrical engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• 4+ years of hands-on experience designing or building robust, precision electro-optical instruments in fiber, free space, or both
• Working knowledge of one or moreareas: coherent detection architectures (IQ modulation/demodulation, balanced detection, optical hybrid operation), free-space optical design (ray tracing, tolerancing, stray light), or laser and fiber systems at thecomponentlevel
• Proficiency with optical instrumentation (OSAs, power meters, interferometers,collimated beams,wavefront sensors, beam profilers) andRF and microwave test equipment (network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, high-speed oscilloscopes)
• Abilityto obtain andmaintaina security clearance

• Experience with optical design and ray tracing software including stray light and ghost analysis
• Experience designing telescopes, beam expanders, or pointing and tracking optical paths with…