Senior Electro-Optical Engineer

Job B Date Posted:
January 9, 2026

Space Dynamics Laboratory’s (SDL) Civil & Commercial Space Division is seeking a senior Electro‑Optical Engineer to join our engineering team in the development of space sensor systems operating in the ultra‑violet to far‑infrared. The selected candidate should have a broad understanding of the design, development, test, and fielding of complex space electro‑optical systems.

Our division is at the forefront of scientific research and space exploration. We equip major government and commercial missions with calibrated state‑of‑the‑art sensors and satellites. We also provide world‑class AI&T technologies and mission management. Our projects include challenges across planetary science, Earth observation, heliophysics, and astrophysics. Be part of a team that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in space and contributes to monumental scientific discoveries.

• Develop advanced optical design methods, theories, and research techniques to investigate and solve problems in optical design and modeling.
• Design, develop, modify, and evaluate optical systems.
• Perform optical analysis including structural‑thermal‑optical performance (STOP) analysis and tolerance analysis.
• Perform optical alignment.
• Perform integration and test planning of optical systems.
• Develop detailed optical element drawings.
• Evaluate vendor capabilities to provide required products or services.
• Work with vendors to stay current in fabrication techniques and capabilities.
• Manage vendor sub‑contract for lens and mirror fabrication and optical coatings.
• Support or perform optical image quality testing.
• Support system‑level testing and verification.
• Support proposals for new optical instrument projects.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines, including mechanical, thermal, electrical, systems, contamination, calibration, and quality.
• Interface with technical support personnel, technical writers, engineering technicians, and program managers as required.
• Author journal publications and present at conferences.
• May cultivate business development relationships with customers.
• Provide technical leadership for more junior‑level employees.
• May take a leadership role in design reviews and larger proposal efforts.

• Must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain US Government Security Clearance.
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in an appropriate field (e.g., optical sciences, optical engineering, optomechanical engineering, engineering physics, applied physics).
• 15+ years relevant full‑time work experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 13+ years with a master’s degree, or 8+ years with a PhD.
• Experience performing optical design and analysis, including STOP analysis, or optical alignment of imaging, non‑imaging or LASER systems including all optical elements such as mirrors, lenses, filters, gratings, baffles, stops, and detectors, or experience performing optical image quality testing, including wave‑front error measurement.
• Ability to lead a small team in one or more of the following: optical design, optical alignment, stray light, optical testing, and/or calibration of optical systems.
• Knowledge of thermal, mechanical, and space environment effects of optical systems.
• Demonstrated experience engineering, aligning, or testing space‑based optical systems.
• Understanding of interferometry, tools, and applications.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to communicate clearly with personnel of varying technical and professional backgrounds.
• Experience writing technical papers and procedures.
• Written report and/or first author professional paper generation experience.
• Experience collaborating successfully with teams of engineers.
• Demonstrated experience working closely with customers.
• Demonstrated experience leading small technical teams to complete projects or proposal efforts.
• Ability to provide leadership and mentoring to junior engineers.

• Considered an expert in one or more of the following: optical design, optical alignment, stray light, diffraction, optical testing, and/or calibration of optical systems.
• Experienced user of computer‑aided…