Sr. Optical Engineer

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.

We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer with deep experience in precision optical manufacturing to lead the development, fabrication, metrology, and process control of large-format optical components for advanced telescope systems. This role will have a particular focus on world-class large refractive optics, including elements greater than 400 mm in diameter, and the development of custom metrology and manufacturing processes required to produce them.

The ideal candidate has worked directly in a high-precision optical manufacturing environment and understands how to take challenging optical components from specification through fabrication, measurement, process optimization, and final acceptance. This is a hands-on manufacturing engineering role requiring deep knowledge of optical fabrication, metrology, process control, and the practical challenges associated with producing high-performance optics consistently and repeatably.

• Lead the development and manufacturing of large-format precision optical components, with a particular focus on refractive elements greater than 400 mm in diameter.
• Develop and mature optical manufacturing processes spanning grinding, polishing, figuring, coating, cleaning, handling, and final acceptance.
• Design and develop custom metrology systems, tooling, fixtures, and test methods for large and complex optical components.
• Define metrology strategies for measuring surface figure, transmitted wavefront error, surface quality, thickness, wedge, centration, and other critical optical characteristics.
• Establish robust process controls for optical manufacturing, including process capability, statistical process control (SPC), yield, repeatability, and continuous improvement.
• Analyze manufacturing and metrology data to identify process variation, determine root causes, and drive corrective actions.
  
  Develop manufacturing tolerances and specifications that balance optical performance with manufacturability, cost, schedule, and yield.
• Partner closely with optical designers to ensure optical prescriptions can be manufactured, measured, and validated successfully.
• Support the development and qualification of optical materials, coatings, fabrication methods, and suppliers.
• Lead technical problem solving for manufacturing defects, nonconformances, yield issues, and optical performance discrepancies.
• Develop acceptance criteria, inspection methods, manufacturing documentation, and process specifications.
• Support the transition of new optical components and processes from development into repeatable production.
• Collaborate with mechanical, optomechanical, systems, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful integration of finished optics into telescope systems.
• Mentor engineers and technicians and help establish best practices for precision optical manufacturing and metrology.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience working directly in a precision optical manufacturing environment.
• Deep hands-on knowledge of optical fabrication processes, including grinding, polishing, figuring, and finishing of precision optics.
• Demonstrated experience manufacturing large or technically challenging refractive optical elements.
• Strong experience developing optical metrology systems and measurement methodologies.
• Hands-on experience…