SpaceX · 17 hours ago
Sr. Space Lasers Engineer, User Products (Starshield)
Hawthorne, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$130K/yr - $180K/yr
5+ years expSpaceX is a company focused on developing technologies for human exploration of Mars. They are seeking a Sr. Space Lasers Engineer to design, test, and integrate the Starshield Mini Space Laser, aimed at enhancing government communication and earth observation capabilities.
AerospaceManufacturingSpace Travel
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Apply expertise to laser communication system development, including design, analysis, and validation
Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
Represent the laser communications system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
Define requirements for high-data-rate laser communication systems in challenging environmental conditions
Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be produced in accordance with overall project goals
Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop test and production scripts and tools
Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors
Design, develop, and implement avionics hardware for space laser systems including high-speed digital communications, analog circuits, optical sensors, and photonic chip drivers
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline
5+ years of hands-on laboratory or professional work experience in laser technology, electrical or mechanical systems, or testing
Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one
Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
Willing to work extended hours and weekends when needed
Preferred
Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering or STEM discipline
Experience in designing, testing and implementing circuit boards or mechanical components
Experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, LabVIEW, and/or Python)
Knowledge of digital communication systems including spread spectrum, forward error correction, and modulation types such as QPSK, QAM, PCM/FM, and PAM
Experience with mixed-signal circuits, processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, and power supply components
Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of laser communication systems
Knowledge of and experience in lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles
Knowledge of and experience in free-space optical principles, optical component testing/troubleshooting techniques, precision metrology techniques, manufacturing and integration processes
Experience leading development of commercial communications products
Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
Experience with infrared system alignment and characterization
Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment
Benefits
Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
Potential discretionary bonuses
Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
Short and long-term disability insurance
Life insurance
Paid parental leave
Various other discounts and perks
3 weeks of paid vacation
10 or more paid holidays per year
Paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy
Company
SpaceX
SpaceX is an aviation and aerospace company that designs, manufactures, and launches rockets and spacecraft.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$11.78BKey Investors
Korea Investment PartnersIntesa SanpaoloAndreessen Horowitz
2025-12-12Secondary Market
2025-09-10Secondary Market
2025-08-13Secondary Market· $10M
Leadership Team
Elon Musk
Founder, CEO & CTO
Bret Johnsen
CFO
Recent News
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2026-01-25
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2026-01-23
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