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EON is building a high-throughput point-to-point data transport network in space using free-space laser links in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) to move petabytes of data between any two points on Earth. The company recently closed a $10.75M seed round led by Andreessen Horowitz and General Catalyst and is building out its R&D center in Culver City.
You will join EON's founding laser communications (Lasercom) team as a core engineer responsible for designing and building Tbps-class optical links to MEO. The role spans the full breadth of optical systems, from free-space link design to ground terminal hardware. You will own a distinct subsystem within the optical chain and carry it from concept through first light on the company's single-route demonstrator and full constellation.
Key responsibilities include: owning a specific link in the optical chain and shepherding it from concept to deployment; designing and modeling your subsystem against system-level targets; building, characterizing, and debugging hardware at the bench with custom test setups; defining interfaces and integration constraints with cross-functional optical, electrical, and mechanical engineers; identifying and retiring high-risk technical assumptions early through analysis, prototyping, and testing; and setting technical direction with incomplete data while documenting reasoning for team alignment.
The company hires at all levels for this role (Associate through Senior and Principal) and will calibrate title, scope, and compensation to your experience. Specialization areas include: System Architecture (link budgets, FEC strategy, OSNR targets, end-to-end link ownership); Coherent Communications (transceivers, DSP, forward error correction, modem design); Amplifiers & Beam Control (EDFAs, pump design, optical power, beam forming); Optical Design (telescopes, back-end optics, free-space paths using Zemax/Code V); Pointing, Acquisition & Tracking (PAT) for multi-hour MEO passes through atmospheric turbulence; Test & Integration (lab setup, optical test benches, signal chain integration); or strong generalist work across the full chain.
Basic qualifications: degree in physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, or related technical field; hands-on lab experience in optics, photonics, lasers, or precision optical hardware; strong fundamentals in optics and photonics with analytical depth to reason about links end-to-end; programming capability for modeling, analysis, or test (Python, MATLAB, or similar); and comfort moving fast and making sound technical calls with incomplete information.
