Cowboy Space
Optical Engineer, Communications
$165K–$220K
San Carlos, California · On-site · Full-time · Posted Sep 15, 2026
- Experience
- 3+ years of hands-on fiber-optic systems experience and 2+ years of professional laser beam characterization; preferred: 5+ years in a laser communications, defense, or aerospace photonics role.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
- Visa sponsorship
- Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations to comply with ITAR.
About the job
Designs, develops, characterizes, and tests high-power fiber laser systems and optical communications components for satellite applications.
What you'll do
- Design and develop high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers; characterize laser sources and fiber nonlinearities.
- Integrate and qualify fiber-optic components, assemble fiber subassemblies, and design and align coherent receivers.
- Create and execute optical performance test plans and produce design specifications, assembly procedures, and reports.
What they ask for
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- 3+ years of hands-on fiber-optic systems experience, including splicing, component integration, and characterization.
- 2+ years of professional laser beam characterization experience.
- Experience with optical diagnostics, optical relays, imaging, free-space optical system design and alignment, rare-earth-doped fiber amplifiers, fiber-optic modulation formats, and specified optical test equipment.
Nice to have
- Master's or PhD in a related discipline; hands-on MOPA fiber amplifier chain experience.
- Experience in laser communications, defense, or aerospace photonics; free-space optical communications or LEO links; space-system environmental validation; Class 4 laser labs; or micro-optical benches.
Pay
USD 165,000 - USD 220,000 annually (base salary)
Tools
fiber laser, fiber amplifiers, SBS, SPM, BER, OSAs, power meters, high-speed oscilloscopes
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative