Optical Test Engineer II

You will join the team developing infrared remote sensing instruments, driving hands-on testing, characterization, and environmental qualification of critical optical, optomechanical, and moving mechanism subsystems. You'll design test campaigns, develop ground support equipment, and integrate complex electro-optical systems in a fast-paced, small-team environment. This position is hybrid and requires working on-site in the Mountain View, CA office three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Drive optical, optomechanical, and moving mechanism component and subsystem test efforts including definition of test strategy and standards, creation of test procedures, test execution, post-processing/data analysis, and generation of test reports
• Conduct functional, performance, and environmental testing including vibration, thermal-vacuum/TVAC, and thermal stress at both the subsystem and instrument levels
• Develop and operate ground support equipment (GSE) and testbeds to facilitate instrument-level characterization, calibration, spacecraft integration, and full-system check-outs
• Champion the continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency and reliability in instrument development
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with subsystem engineers and analysts, instrument and spacecraft systems engineers, AI&T and production teams, program managers, and other stakeholders

Requirements

• Ph.D. and experience working with imaging systems and infrared remote sensing instruments within a multi-disciplinary environment; or M.S. and 3+ years industry experience; or B.S. and 5+ years industry experience
• Basic software skills in one or more languages (e.g. Python, C++)
• Experience working with precision optical and mechanical metrology equipment
• Experience with root cause analysis efforts and performing rigorous data analysis, post-processing, and test report generation
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organization skills
• Excited to work in a fast-paced environment with new challenges each week

Benefits

• Equity compensation
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401k retirement plan
• Short & long term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Three weeks paid vacation for new employees
• 12 paid holidays
• Unlimited sick time
• Paid parental leave