Inversion Space
Staff Optical Engineer
$161K–$221K
Playa Vista, California, United States · Staff · Full-time · Posted Apr 14, 2026
- Experience
- Typically 9+ years of applicable experience designing, analyzing, and testing optical systems.
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Visa sponsorship
- To conform to ITAR, 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
Leads the design, analysis, integration, and testing of optical systems for reentry spacecraft, including sensor windows, seekers, and spectral cameras.
What you'll do
- Lead sensor window and seeker design and analysis; develop spectral camera systems from architecture through integration and performance trades.
- Analyze optical transmission, image quality, stray light, thermal effects, and environmental impacts; select optical components and vendors.
- Plan and support optical testing and validation, collaborate across engineering teams, and turn results into recommendations to improve performance and reduce risk.
What they ask for
- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Experience with imaging systems and optical design and analysis tools such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, or equivalent software.
- Strong understanding of optical materials, coatings, sensor windows, and environmental effects; experience planning and performing optical bench or lab testing.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.
Nice to have
- Master’s degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
- Experience with aerospace, spaceflight, hypersonic, or reentry optical systems.
Pay
$161,000-$221,000 USD base salary
Tools
Zemax, Code V, FRED
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative