ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Optical Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$135K - $170K/yr

Beyond new hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define new processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to ...

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$135K - $170K/yr

Beyond new hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define new processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to ...

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP

$95K - $123K/yr

Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both ...

Future Ventures

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both ...

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Optical Engineer IV

Campus, IL · On-site

$125K - $162K/yr

Detailed optical analysis * Development and maintenance of performance error budgets capturing sources from fabrication, assembly, and space environments Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in Optics ...

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both ...

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP

$95K - $123K/yr

Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both ...

SpaceX

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both ...

JPL

Optical Engineer IV

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$140K - $181K/yr

Detailed optical analysis * Development and maintenance of performance error budgets capturing sources from fabrication, assembly, and space environments Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in Optics ...

BAE Systems

Optical Design Engineer

Merrimack, NH · Hybrid

$79K - $134K/yr

This will include the design, analysis, and measurement of optical subsystems. Responsibilities include the design and analysis of optical subsystems, and the testing and validation of prototype ...

New

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation * Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue ...

BAE Systems

Optical Design Engineer

Merrimack, NH · Hybrid

$79K - $134K/yr

This will include the design, analysis, and measurement of optical subsystems. Responsibilities include the design and analysis of optical subsystems, and the testing and validation of prototype ...

New

SpaceX

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both ...

BAE Systems

Optical Design Engineer

Merrimack, NH · On-site

$79K - $134K/yr

This will include the design, analysis, and measurement of optical subsystems. Responsibilities include the design and analysis of optical subsystems, and the testing and validation of prototype ...

New

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both ...

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

Beyond hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsOptical Analyst Jobs

Optical Analyst information

See salary details

$31K

$73.3K

$130K

How much do optical analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical analyst in the United States is $73,261.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $87,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What cities are hiring for Optical Analyst jobs?

Cities with the most Optical Analyst job openings:

What states have the most Optical Analyst jobs?

States with the most job openings for Optical Analyst jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Optical Analyst jobs?

For Optical Analyst jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Optical Analyst job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,261 per year, or $35.2 per hour.

Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

SpaceX
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about SpaceXexternal

$135K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Own free-space optical system design, validation, and operation for a navigation sensor combining a visible camera and infrared sensing.

  • Design, analyze, validate, and troubleshoot optical, electronic, and mechanical assemblies related to the optical systems.

  • Perform verification testing, review test data, and lead anomaly investigations to ensure system performance and reliability.

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL)
SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical expertise, hands-on implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained environments.
As an Optical Engineer, you will own free-space optical system design, validation, and operation for a navigation sensor combining a visible camera and infrared (IR) sensing. You will lead design of optics, detectors, circuit boards, precision mechanisms, and mechanical enclosures that must survive extreme loads and the harsh environment of space, while being producible at high manufacturing rate.
Beyond new hardware design, you will analyze, validate, and troubleshoot electronic/optical assemblies; define new processes; design circuits, fixtures, and tools; and identify opportunities to improve both products and processes. You will dive into technical details, drive architecture and design trades, and directly contribute to mission-critical navigation applications.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation of visible-camera and IR sensor architectures
  • Define requirements for high-performance optical/IR navigation sensors in challenging environmental conditions
  • Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk-reduction testing
  • Drive detailed trades across optical, IR, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing constraints for high-volume production
  • Design next-generation optical/IR sensor hardware for high-rate manufacturing
  • Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
  • Perform verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault-injection testing
  • Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and navigation sensor systems
  • Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
  • Maintain performance budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
  • Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical/IR testing

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design or testing
  • 1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
  • Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax
  • Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of imaging or IR systems
  • Experience designing mixed-signal circuits, processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, and power supply components
  • Opto-mechanical design and analysis experience with precision mounting and alignment
  • Knowledge of and experience in cameras, IR detectors, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles
  • Knowledge of and experience in free-space optical principles, optical component testing/troubleshooting techniques, precision metrology techniques, manufacturing and integration processes
  • Experience leading development of commercial or high-volume products
  • Designing hardware for high-reliability applications
  • Experience with imaging, navigation sensing, or multi-spectral (visible + IR) systems
  • Knowledge of and experience in atmospheric optical effects
  • Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
  • Competence with optical test equipment (power meters, interferometer, sources, cameras)
  • Experience with infrared system alignment and characterization
  • Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Working extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
$135,000.00 - $170,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

What SpaceX employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

SpaceX logo

About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

View All SpaceX Jobs

Apply