K2 Space
Optical Systems Engineer
$140K–$280K
Los Angeles, CA +1 · Full-time · Posted Apr 29, 2026
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles - Experience
- 8+ years.
- Education
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
- Visa sponsorship
- Must be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 or otherwise eligible for a federally issued export control license.
About the job
Designs and delivers optical benches for space payloads, guiding them from system architecture and optical design through manufacturing, testing, and on-orbit commissioning.
What you'll do
- Develop optical system architecture, budgets, models, designs, tolerances, qualification plans, and commissioning plans for optical benches.
- Lead vendor and manufacturing activities, including component qualification, productionization, equipment selection, factory processes, and testing.
- Collaborate with satellite and optical teams, communicate design decisions, and provide staffing, technical leadership, and mentorship.
What they ask for
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
- 8+ years of experience designing, manufacturing, and testing optical systems.
- Experience with optical systems throughout the product life cycle, from requirements generation and design through deployment and operation.
Nice to have
- Familiarity with high-volume manufacturing, design for manufacturability, supply chain management, and productionization.
- Experience with optical mechanisms, electro-optical sensing, experimental research and data analysis, or space-environment failure modes.
Pay
USD 140,000 - USD 280,000 base salary
Tools
UV, VIS, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, LWIR
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative