Optical Engineer Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Job ID: 9126
Date Posted: August 18, 2026
Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking a highly skilled Design Engineer to design detailed space hardware and subsystems in our Strategic & Military Space Division. The successful candidate will be able to immediately begin work on new projects, establish and document requirements, and work closely with small and large engineering teams to turn ideas into working hardware. The nature of the work is rewarding, and employees feel a sense of accomplishment from working on projects from concept through design, implementation, test, and delivery.
The Strategic & Military Space Division delivers advanced satellite and sensor systems that support the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Our division is a key component of national security, providing technological solutions and expert mission support. At SDL, you’ll become part of a team dedicated to making a tangible contribution to our nation’s defense capabilities.
Key Responsibilities:

• Designs primary and secondary aerospace structures and systems
• Creates and delivers CAD models and presentations to customers
• Communicates across engineering disciplines to make critical program decisions
• Identifies core issues, develops solutions, and effectively communicates the impacts across internal and external teams
• Leads, mentors, and collaborates with other engineers, both internally and externally
• Manages schedules and tasking to meet and exceed expectations
• Develops and presents at design reviews
• Develops supporting material for design such as bill of materials, assembly or installation procedures, and weight optimization trades
• Supports and collaborates with program management, analysis, procurement, and manufacturing teams

• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or additional 5 years of experience in lieu of a degree
• Proficiency in the use of computer-aided design tools (NX preferred)
• Experience leading the design and collaborating with other engineering disciplines
• Ability to develop and document required design processes
• Experience writing technical plans and procedures
• Track record of successfully working with and collaborating with teams of engineers
• Ability to communicate clearly with personnel of varying technical and professional backgrounds including building presentation slides
• Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
• Must be able to travel on a regular basis and work off-site for extended periods of time

• Active Top Secret clearance
• Master’s degree in mechanical engineering
• 10 to 15 years of relevant experience
• Experience designing for space environments
• Demonstrated experience designing composite and metallic parts and assemblies
• Experience in mechanical design of optical instruments and thermal vacuum cryogenic tests
• Ability to work in a laboratory environment with precision optical elements and instruments
• Experience evaluating thermal and structural/dynamics analysis
• Experience in opto-mechanical design of optical instruments
• Familiar with analysis packages such as FEMAP and NASTRAN (or equivalent)

• $84,500 - $154,500
  • Salary commensurate on education and relevant experience

This range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all US locations. Specific salary details for a candidate’s preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process.
Why Join SDL?
*SDL offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Visit our Benefits Page to learn more about what we offer.
SDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Our expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. Join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.
At SDL, we strive to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. We listen with open minds, seek to understand diverse perspectives, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We work together by sharing knowledge, involving others, and offering support. We trust and empower our team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. Above all, we deliver on our commitments to each other and to our mission partners.
The application window for this position is expected to remain open for approximately 7 days; however, it may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly.

For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact employment@sdl.usu.edu.

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