Staff Optical Communications Engineer

About the Team: 

The Interplanetary Sciences Program was established to expand access to scientific exploration across our solar system. Its mission is to make planetary research faster, more affordable, and more capable than ever before by rethinking how science missions are designed, built, and operated. The program aims to enable scientists to send instruments to distant worlds without decades of development or prohibitive costs. By creating a sustainable model for interplanetary exploration, we are transforming space science from an occasional event into a continuous process of discovery that accelerates knowledge, broadens participation, and inspires the next generation of explorers.

About the Role:

As a Staff Optical Communications Engineer within the Interplanetary Sciences Program, you will own the end-to-end architecture, design, development, and delivery of a deep-space optical communications terminal. You will be responsible for translating mission needs into system performance requirements, developing architectures, and driving implementation through in-house design or external partnerships.

This role offers the opportunity to define and execute one of the most critical technologies enabling next-generation interplanetary missions. You will operate in a fast-paced, iterative environment, where rapid prototyping, early testing, and continuous learning are key to success. You’ll lead hands-on development campaigns to evaluate key technologies, derisk interfaces, and validate performance before full system integration.

You’ll work across internal and external teams to turn concepts into hardware, balancing agility and rigor as you move quickly from analysis to prototypes to flight-ready systems. Ultimately, you will lead the effort to deliver a robust, high-performance optical communications capability that enables breakthrough science across the solar system.

About You:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field
• 7+ years of experience in laser communications, optical systems engineering, or spacecraft communications system development
• Proven ability to take complex technical systems from concept through qualification, integration, and operational deployment
• Hands-on proficiency in electromechanical prototyping, including integration of optics, electronics, and mechanical subsystems such as gimbals, pointing mechanisms, and precision mounts
• Deep understanding of optical communications subsystems, including pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT); modems; and photonic hardware
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize technical details and drive decision-making across engineering and program teams

Nice to haves but not required:  

• Experience with spaceflight hardware environmental testing and qualification
• Familiarity with NASA or commercial spacecraft systems engineering processes in an applied / New-Space manner is a plus
• Experience with deep-space or high-radiation avionics systems