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Observable Space is a vertically integrated space technology company building precision optics platforms and laser communications systems trusted by NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, Raytheon, and the US DoD. The company combines precision opto-mechanical hardware, embedded computing, cloud orchestration, and developer APIs into world-class products for Earth observation, on-orbit sensor suites, free-space optical lasercom, and distributed compute platforms.
As Senior Electrical Engineer for Lasercom, you will lead the design and development of electrical systems powering next-generation laser communications technology. This role sits at the intersection of photonics, fiber optics, analog electronics, RF design, and digital signal processing for high-performance optical communication systems in aerospace applications.
Key responsibilities include: designing electronics interfacing with laser communication systems (lasers, photonic integrated circuits, optical amplifiers, modulators, detectors, fiber optic subsystems); developing high-speed analog and mixed-signal circuitry for coherent and free-space optical communications; creating signal conditioning, amplification, timing, clocking, and data conversion circuitry for ultra-high-bandwidth optical links; designing and validating high-speed signal paths with emphasis on signal integrity, noise, jitter, and bandwidth; modeling, simulating, prototyping, and characterizing optical communication hardware; supporting DSP pipeline development for modulation, demodulation, synchronization, equalization, and signal recovery; collaborating with optical engineers on laser performance and system optimization; performing electrical characterization using oscilloscopes, vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, BERTs, and optical spectrum analyzers; participating in architecture trade studies and component selection; and supporting transition from prototype to flight-qualified hardware.
Required: Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or related field; 5+ years designing optical or high-speed communication systems; strong understanding of fiber electronics, optics, lasers, and signal processing; experience designing electronics for high-speed optical systems; familiarity with digital communication theory, modulation, coding, synchronization, and DSP; laboratory validation experience; strong analytical and problem-solving skills across disciplines; comfort in fast-paced, prototype-driven environments.
Preferred: MS/PhD in optical communications, photonics, microwave engineering, RF systems, or digital communications; coherent optical system development; free-space optical or laser communication experience; photonic integrated circuits, fiber transceivers, EDFAs, coherent receivers, or modulator experience; high-speed SerDes, PAM4, QAM, QPSK, coherent modulation experience; DSP algorithms for optical communications; simulation tools (ADS, HFSS, CST, COMSOL, Lumerical, MATLAB); FPGA-based communication systems; aerospace, defense, or satellite communication familiarity; spaceflight or harsh environment hardware experience.
