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Weekend Optical Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$135K - $170K/yr

OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical ... Working extended hours and weekends as needed * Note that an active clearance may provide the ...

OMNIVISION

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

The Sr/Staff/Principal Optical Engineer works in an aggressive, fast-paced R&D environment to develop and design optical structure to improve image sensor performance. Responsibilities: * Design ...

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$135K - $170K/yr

OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical ... Working extended hours and weekends as needed * Note that an active clearance may provide the ...

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$135K - $170K/yr

OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical ... Working extended hours and weekends as needed * Note that an active clearance may provide the ...

Aeva, Inc.

Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$132K - $179K/yr

Aeva is looking to bring on an Optical Engineer to join our dynamic, fast-paced, and highly innovative environment. The position will contribute to the design, development, and testing of complex ...

Apple

Optical Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$159K - $206K/yr

Description As an optical engineer focused on novel instrumentations, you will be responsible for designing and developing industry leading optical instruments for metrology systems. These optical ...

Aeva, Inc.

Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$132K - $179K/yr

Aeva is looking to bring on an Optical Engineer to join our dynamic, fast-paced, and highly innovative environment. The position will contribute to the design, development, and testing of complex ...

Aeva, Inc.

Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$132K - $179K/yr

Aeva is looking to bring on an Optical Engineer to join our dynamic, fast-paced, and highly innovative environment. The position will contribute to the design, development, and testing of complex ...

LLNL

Senior Optical Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$151K - $195K/yr

We have an opening for a Senior Optical Engineer to support the development of advanced optical instrumentation and payloads for space missions that contribute to U.S. national security and ...

OMNIVISION

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$120K - $200K/yr

The Sr/Staff/Principal Optical Engineer works in an aggressive, fast-paced R&D environment to develop and design optical structure to improve image sensor performance. Responsibilities: * Design ...

LLNL

Senior Optical Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$9.7K/wk

We have an opening for a Senior Optical Engineer to support the development of advanced optical instrumentation and payloads for space missions that contribute to U.S. national security and ...

OmniVision Technologies

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

The Sr/Staff/Principal Optical Engineer works in an aggressive, fast-paced R&D environment to develop and design optical structure to improve image sensor performance. Responsibilities: * Design ...

Meta

Display Optical Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$173K/yr

Display Optical Engineer Responsibilities: * Lead engineering activities on advanced VR/AR display as optical engineers for new display applications * Lead complex development projects by ...

Leidos

Optical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$107K - $195K/yr

The Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking an Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in the development of advanced optical payload systems for next-generation space ...

OMNIVISION

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

The Sr/Staff/Principal Optical Engineer works in an aggressive, fast-paced R&D environment to develop and design optical structure to improve image sensor performance. Responsibilities: * Design ...

Socket.dev

Display Optical Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$173 - $245/hr

Meta Reality Labs is seeking a Display Engineer to advance the optical design and display systems that power next-generation virtual and augmented reality headsets and wearable devices. In this role ...

New

JPL

Optical Engineer IV

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$140K - $181K/yr

The 364C Optical Engineering Group specializes in designing and developing optical systems for planetary probes and instruments, earth observing remote sensing systems, and in situ sensing systems ...

The Aerospace Corporation

Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site +1

$137K - $177K/yr

We are seeking to hire a laser communications engineer (Engineering Specialist) to join the Optical Communications Department. The Optical Communications Department provides technical leadership to ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsWeekend Optical Engineer JobsWeekend Optical Engineer Jobs in California

Weekend Optical Engineer information

What is the difference between Weekend Optical Engineer vs Part-Time Optical Technician?

AspectWeekend Optical EngineerPart-Time Optical Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in optics, physics, or engineering; relevant certificationsHigh school diploma or associate degree; technical certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentOptical labs, research facilities, or manufacturing plants, primarily on weekendsOptical retail stores, labs, or clinics, often in retail hours
Employer & IndustryOptical manufacturing companies, research institutionsOptical retail stores, healthcare providers
Work ScheduleWeekend shifts, part-time hours, project-basedPart-time, flexible hours, often weekends or evenings

The Weekend Optical Engineer typically requires a higher level of technical education and works in specialized environments like labs or manufacturing facilities. In contrast, the Part-Time Optical Technician often works in retail or healthcare settings with more flexible hours. Both roles may involve optical device handling but differ in scope, environment, and credentials.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Weekend Optical Engineer jobs in California?

For Weekend Optical Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Weekend Optical Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Weekend Optical Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Weekend Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Weekend Optical Engineer job openings:

Weekend Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Weekend Optical Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Optical Engineer (Starfall)

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$135K - $170K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 72 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 (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:
    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

What SpaceX employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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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

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