Cowboy Space
Optical Engineer, Test & Metrology
$145K–$175K
San Carlos, California · On-site · Full-time · Posted Oct 16, 2026
- Experience
- 3+ years of hands-on optics or photonics lab experience.
- Education
- Bachelor's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a 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 the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
About the job
Designs and runs laboratory tests to verify laser and optical communications hardware from components through full satellite integration, and reports findings to engineering teams.
What you'll do
- Build and operate optical test setups, measure performance, and analyze results.
- Develop and execute test plans, supporting hardware through integration and field campaigns.
- Automate measurements, investigate anomalies, and maintain laser safety and test records.
What they ask for
- Bachelor's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- 3+ years of hands-on experience in an optics or photonics lab environment.
- Experience with precision benchtop optical alignment and standard optical test equipment.
- Working knowledge of optics fundamentals; measurement-data analysis in Python or similar; familiarity with Class 3B and Class 4 laser safety practices.
Nice to have
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Optics, Photonics, or a related field.
- Experience with high-power fiber lasers, optical communications, metrology, test automation, or environmental testing.
Pay
$145,000 - $175,000 annually (base salary)
Tools
Python, OSAs, optical power meters, oscilloscopes, BER testers, beam profilers, wavefront sensors, interferometers
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative