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Observable Space is a vertically integrated space technology company building precision optics platforms for Earth observation and in-space applications. The company serves NASA, JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, RTX, the US Space Force, and leading research institutions. Observable Space combines precision opto-mechanical hardware, embedded compute, cloud orchestration, and developer-friendly APIs into world-class products at scale with in-house manufacturing.
We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to lead the development, fabrication, metrology, and process control of large-format optical components for advanced telescope systems. This is a hands-on manufacturing engineering role with particular focus on world-class large refractive optics, including elements greater than 400 mm in diameter, and the development of custom metrology and manufacturing processes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead development and manufacturing of large-format precision optical components, particularly refractive elements exceeding 400 mm diameter
- Develop and mature optical manufacturing processes spanning grinding, polishing, figuring, coating, cleaning, handling, and final acceptance
- Design and develop custom metrology systems, tooling, fixtures, and test methods for large and complex optical components
- Define metrology strategies for measuring surface figure, transmitted wavefront error, surface quality, thickness, wedge, centration, and other critical optical characteristics
- Establish robust process controls including process capability, statistical process control (SPC), yield, repeatability, and continuous improvement
- Analyze manufacturing and metrology data to identify process variation, determine root causes, and drive corrective actions
- Develop manufacturing tolerances and specifications balancing optical performance with manufacturability, cost, schedule, and yield
- Partner with optical designers to ensure optical prescriptions can be manufactured, measured, and validated successfully
- Support development and qualification of optical materials, coatings, fabrication methods, and suppliers
- Lead technical problem solving for manufacturing defects, nonconformances, yield issues, and optical performance discrepancies
- Develop acceptance criteria, inspection methods, manufacturing documentation, and process specifications
- Support transition of new optical components and processes from development into repeatable production
- Collaborate with mechanical, optomechanical, systems, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful integration of finished optics into telescope systems
- Mentor engineers and technicians and establish best practices for precision optical manufacturing and metrology
The role offers a hybrid work environment with a requirement of minimum 3 days per week in the Los Angeles office. Observable Space provides competitive compensation, equity opportunities, unlimited PTO, comprehensive health and wellness benefits, and access to cutting-edge tools.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
- 5+ years of direct experience in precision optical manufacturing environment
- Deep hands-on knowledge of optical fabrication processes including grinding, polishing, figuring, and finishing of precision optics
- Demonstrated experience manufacturing large or technically challenging refractive optical elements
- Strong experience developing optical metrology systems and measurement methodologies
- Hands-on experience with interferometry and other precision optical measurement techniques
- Deep understanding of manufacturing process control including SPC, process capability, repeatability, yield improvement, and root cause analysis
- Experience translating optical requirements and tolerances into practical manufacturing and inspection processes
- Strong understanding of optical materials, surface specifications, transmitted wavefront error, surface figure, centration, wedge, and other manufacturing-critical optical parameters
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot optical manufacturing problems using data and first-principles engineering
- Ability to work directly with technicians, machinists, vendors, and engineers in hands-on manufacturing environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Direct experience developing or manufacturing refractive optical elements greater than 400 mm in diameter
- Experience developing custom interferometric or other specialized metrology systems for large optics
- Experience establishing or scaling optical manufacturing processes from development into production
- Experience with deterministic finishing techniques such as MRF, ion beam figuring, CNC polishing, or similar processes
- Experience with precision optical coatings and coating-related manufacturing considerations
- Experience developing supplier capabilities or qualifying external optical fabrication vendors
- Experience with telescope, astronomical, aerospace, defense, or other high-performance imaging optics
- Experience with optical design and analysis tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or equivalent
- Experience working with highly challenging optical tolerances where manufacturing process capability is primary driver of system performance
