Optomechanical Engineer

Optomechanical Engineer

Mountain View, CA | On-Site

We are seeking a hands‑on Optomechanical Engineer to own the design, analysis, and build of the mechanical systems at the heart of our imaging payloads. Our team prioritizes a cycle of rapid building, testing, learning, and iterating — all in the pursuit of delivering critical capabilities as quickly as possible.

As an Optomechanical Engineer, you will own the optomechanical architecture of our imaging instruments from concept through flight. You'll be responsible for designing and building the precision structures, kinematic interfaces, and alignment systems that keep our optics stable and performing.

• You think in microns. You know the difference between a structural problem and an alignment problem, and you've solved both with hardware.
• You bias toward testing. You know that an alignment measurement on real hardware is worth more than a dozen STOP runs, and you use analysis to guide where to look — not to replace looking.
• You have a knack for general mechanical problems. When a structural interface, a mechanism, or a fabrication challenge shows up outside the opto‑mech lane, you have the instincts and knowledge to dig in and figure it out.
• You thrive in a small team with high ownership.
• You stay close to hardware. You've personally assembled precision optical instruments, run optical performance tests, and closed out anomalies at the bench.

• Own the Optomechanical architecture and hardware
  :
  Lead opto‑mechanical design from concept through flight — trade studies, structural‑thermal‑optical performance (STOP) analysis, alignment planning, and hardware delivery.
• Design precision kinematic mounts, lens barrel interfaces, flexure systems, and structural housings for optical assemblies and electro‑optical sensors.
• Own tolerance and alignment budgets; develop and execute alignment and verification procedures.
• Perform and lead STOP analysis to characterize on‑orbit performance across the thermal environment; iterate design to close performance margins.
• Integrate optical, thermal, and structural payload performance requirements into the mechanical design.
• Drive hardware to completion: write build and alignment (TVAC), and lead optical performance characterization before and after test.
• Work directly with precision machine shops and optical vendors — generate drawings, manage fabrication, and perform incoming inspection and alignment verification.
• Support cleanroom AI&T — be at the bench during instrument build, alignment, and test.

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience designing and building optomechanical hardware, with demonstrated ownership from concept through environmental qualification.
• Proficiency in STOP analysis workflows — experience with FEA (Nastran, ANSYS, or equivalent) coupled to optical modeling (Zemax, Code V, or equivalent), including Sig Fit or similar for.
• Proficiency in Solid Works or equivalent CAD for precision optical assemblies; mastery of drawings, GD&T, and tolerance stackups for optical systems.
• Hands‑on experience with precision optical and mechanical metrology — interferometry, CMM, autocollimator, or equivalent alignment methods.
• Experience with environmental testing of optical instruments: vibration, shock, and TVAC, including before/after optical performance characterization.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments with appropriate contamination and FOD controls.
• Experience with athermal optomechanical design: material selection, kinematic constraints, and passive or active thermal compensation strategies.

• Flight heritage — an optical instrument or payload you designed has made it to orbit and operated primary structure, launch vehicle interface hardware.
• Proficiency in FEA for independent structural analysis.
• Familiarity with COTS integration: adapting and qualifying off‑the‑shelf optical or optomechanical components for space use.
• Comfort with scripting for analysis or test automation.
• Familiarity with GEVS or equivalent environmental qualification.