Optical Engineer

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience designing free-space optical systems.
• Proficiency in Zemax or Code V.
• Experience specifying, procuring, and acceptance testing custom optical components and coatings.
• Experience with optical tolerance budgeting including Monte Carlo methods, alignment sensitivity analysis, and thermal/athermal analysis across operating temperature ranges.
• Experience with structural-thermal-optical (STOP) analysis and multi-physics optical performance modeling.
• Hands-on experience aligning and characterizing optical assemblies.
• Familiarity with fiber-to-free-space coupling and single-mode fiber injection.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering or Physics.
• 5+ years of experience in an aerospace or defense optical systems role.
• Experience with FSO communication.
• Familiarity with adaptive optics.
• Experience with alignment stability analysis for deployable or launch-survivable optical assemblies.
• Experience with environmental validation of space-based optical systems (thermal-vacuum, vibration, radiation).
• Experience with Class 4 laser lab environments.

Compensation and Benefits

• The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $200,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance if applicable
• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements

• Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 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. Learn more about ITAR here .

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