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Salary: USD 135,000 - 185,000 / annual
Voyager Technology Systems is seeking an experienced Optical Engineer to design and deliver cutting-edge optical components for space and national security applications, including space-rated cameras, star trackers, and laser communications systems.
You will own the full lifecycle of optical system development: decomposing optical requirements, planning verification strategies, and conducting performance analysis using industry-standard tools (Zemax, FRED). Your responsibilities include stray light analysis, structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP) analysis, and detailed optical design work. You will generate manufacturing-ready optical element and assembly drawings, author production build and alignment instructions, and design test hardware such as star simulators and collimator sources to validate algorithms.
Additionally, you will perform radiometric analysis, develop optical test plans and procedures, and lead testing of high-performance optical sensors. This role requires hands-on lab and cleanroom work, bridging the gap between design and manufacturing.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Optical Sciences, or related STEM field with 7+ years of industry experience (or advanced degree with 5+ years). You must have expert-level proficiency in Zemax OpticStudio, including sequential design, tolerancing, Monte Carlo analysis, and thermal modeling. Demonstrated success taking optical designs from concept through tolerancing, drawing release, build, and test is essential. You need strong knowledge of tolerancing and design-for-manufacturability, experience authoring optical drawings and manufacturing documentation, working knowledge of SolidWorks or equivalent CAD, and proficiency in Python for data reduction and analysis. Willingness to work hands-on in optics labs and cleanroom environments is required.
Preferred: Direct space or high-reliability environment experience, familiarity with CMOS image sensor characterization and star tracker architectures, experience supporting prototype-to-production transitions, excellent communication and presentation skills, and proven ability to resolve complex technical issues in cross-functional teams.
Must be a US person for security clearance eligibility.
