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Optical System Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA

$130K - $169K/yr

While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government ... All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a ...

Baker Hughes

R&D Optical Engineer

Skaneateles, NY

$87K - $163K/yr

You will execute optical system designs, including lens design, packaging, prototyping, refinement, and validation. * You will collaborate with crossfunctional teams to ensure designs meet ...

MicroVision

Staff Optical Engineer

Orlando, FL · Hybrid

$120K - $155K/yr

As a key member of MicroVision's Optical Systems Engineering team, you will collaborate with ... Ensure optical designs are robust, tolerant, and manufacturable * Serve as a technical interface ...

MicroVision

Staff Optical Engineer

Orlando, FL · Hybrid

$120K - $155K/yr

As a key member of MicroVision's Optical Systems Engineering team, you will collaborate with ... Ensure optical designs are robust, tolerant, and manufacturable * Serve as a technical interface ...

SpaceX

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA

$130K - $169K/yr

While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government ... All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a ...

SpaceX

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$135K - $195K/yr

While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government ... All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a ...

BAE Systems

Eng Sr Prin - Optical

Merrimack, NH · On-site

$132K - $226K/yr

Experience in designing complex optical subassemblies and systems * Experience in optical system level performance modeling * Broad understanding of EO/IR Systems Preferred Skills and Education

Intellectt INC

Senior Optical Engineer

Princeton, NJ · On-site

Optical Designer Location: Princeton, NJ - 8540(Onsite) Duration: 12 Months Key Responsibilities: * Design, model, and optimize optical systems for imaging and microscopy. * Perform detailed optical ...

SpaceX

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government ... All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a ...

SpaceX

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government ... All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a ...

Star Catcher

Optical Systems Engineer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$119K - $154K/yr

Designing and developing free space optical systems for power transmission between spacecraft which satisfies overall system requirements. * Conducting system architecture and design analysis to ...

New

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Optical Engineer

Orlando, FL

$120K - $155K/yr

In this role, you will design, analyze, and test complex optical designs in EO systems, primarily military fire control, missile, and laser systems. This position requires an understanding of the ...

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Optical System Designer information

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$144.5K

How much do optical system designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical system designer in the United States is $142,701.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,000.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Optical System Designer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectOptical System DesignerOptical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, R&D departments, manufacturing facilitiesResearch labs, manufacturing, product development teams
Industry UsageFocuses on designing optical systems and componentsFocuses on developing, testing, and improving optical devices
Common Search/ComparisonDesigning optical systemsDeveloping optical solutions

Optical System Designers primarily focus on creating and optimizing optical systems and components, while Optical Engineers work on developing, testing, and implementing optical devices. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often collaborate within the same industry sectors, but their core responsibilities differ in focus and scope.

What cities are hiring for Optical System Designer jobs? Cities with the most Optical System Designer job openings:
Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Optical Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA

$130K - $169K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 hours ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 143 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 59 rated aerospace companies

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 (STARSHIELD)
Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.
The SpaceX satellite engineering teams develop, produce, and deploy the most cutting-edge satellite free-space optical communication systems and observation payloads in the world. We are looking for engineers to contribute to the development of laser communications terminals and imaging products for the groundbreaking constellation of Starshield satellites. All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a blend of theoretical expertise, practical implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained systems.
As a Starshield optical engineer, you will be responsible for free-space optical system design, validation, and operation. You will shape the future of laser communication systems and directly contribute to mission-critical applications such as next-generation star tracking system for precise navigation in space environments.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • 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 resolution
  • Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions
  • Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing
  • Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
  • Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems
  • Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
  • Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
  • Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
  • Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical testing
  • Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering/STEM discipline
  • 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or electrical/mechanical design or testing (university lab, student project, or internship experience qualifies)
  • 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 laser communication systems
  • Experience with 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 steering mechanisms
  • Knowledge of and experience in lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, 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 communications products
  • Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
  • Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking
  • 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, laser sources)
  • 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:
Space Lasers Engineer/Level I: $105,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year
Space Lasers Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year
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. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
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, stock options, 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:
    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

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