{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"b8be5c4dbbbab3b22476e454","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/b8be5c4dbbbab3b22476e454","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/b8be5c4dbbbab3b22476e454","title":"Space Systems Optical Engineer","description":"Job details\nEngineering\nSan Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix\nFull-time\nRole\nSupport the development of Azora's space segment: the flight terminals and supporting avionics that carry our optical communications technology to orbit. You'll work hands-on across system architecture, requirements, and verification as part of a small hardware team.\nResponsibilities\nOwn space segment architecture work across the optical terminal, avionics, structures, thermal, power, and interfaces to host spacecraft or bus.\nContribute to requirements development and flow-down from mission and link-budget level to subsystem and component specifications.\nOwn the design review cadence (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and the verification and validation program, including environmental qualification (vibration, shock, TVAC, EMC, radiation).\nAssist with technical interfaces to launch providers, bus manufacturers, and hosted payload partners, including ICD development.\nSupport risk management and parts/materials assurance activities (EEE parts, radiation lot testing) for the flight program.\nOwn assembly, integration, and test (AIT) campaigns and launch site operations; support on-orbit commissioning and anomaly resolution.\nRequired Qualifications\nBS/MS in Aerospace, Electrical, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.\nHands-on experience with real flight hardware or flight-like hardware—through research, or industry. We're looking for demonstrated contact with actual systems (built it, tested it, broke it, fixed it).\nWorking knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals: requirements, budgets (mass, power, link, pointing), V&V planning.\nSome exposure to environmental qualification or AIT (vibration, shock, TVAC, EMC).\nDemonstrated ability to work independently and take technical ownership of a problem.\nPreferred\nExperience with optical payloads, laser communication terminals, or precision pointing systems in space.\nFamiliarity with smallsat / NewSpace development models and hosted payload integration.\nKnowledge of radiation effects and mitigation for electronics and optics.\nPrior startup or small-team experience scaling engineering processes.\nLocation\nThis is an onsite/hybrid role based in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA – hardware work that’s hard to do remotely. Some travel expected for test campaigns and vendor/manufacturing visits.\nBenefits:\nGenerous equity\nCompetitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)\n401(k)\nEEO & Reasonable Accommodations\nAzora is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.\nIf you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know by contacting careers@azora.space\nExport Control\nTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.\nSalary ranges are based on the following criteria:\nFinal salary is based on geographic location, experience, skills, and qualifications.\nAbout this Company\nAzora is building high-bandwidth communications infrastructure for environments where fiber can’t reach. This work spans LEO spacecraft constellations, lunar exploration missions, GEO satcom, deployable optical ground for defense, and data centers both on- and off-world. To enable rapid global proliferation Azora is developing compact and modular optical terminals small enough to deploy from a backpack, and space terminals that support high speed optical links from LEO out to the Moon.","company":"Azora","rawCompany":"azora","city":"Alameda","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-12T13:27:54.846Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2199.07","title":"Photonics Engineers","slug":"photonics-engineers"},{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"17-2072.00","title":"Electronics Engineers, Except Computer","slug":"electronics-engineers-except-computer"}],"industries":[{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"},{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Space Systems Optical Engineer","description":"Job details\nEngineering\nSan Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix\nFull-time\nRole\nSupport the development of Azora's space segment: the flight terminals and supporting avionics that carry our optical communications technology to orbit. You'll work hands-on across system architecture, requirements, and verification as part of a small hardware team.\nResponsibilities\nOwn space segment architecture work across the optical terminal, avionics, structures, thermal, power, and interfaces to host spacecraft or bus.\nContribute to requirements development and flow-down from mission and link-budget level to subsystem and component specifications.\nOwn the design review cadence (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and the verification and validation program, including environmental qualification (vibration, shock, TVAC, EMC, radiation).\nAssist with technical interfaces to launch providers, bus manufacturers, and hosted payload partners, including ICD development.\nSupport risk management and parts/materials assurance activities (EEE parts, radiation lot testing) for the flight program.\nOwn assembly, integration, and test (AIT) campaigns and launch site operations; support on-orbit commissioning and anomaly resolution.\nRequired Qualifications\nBS/MS in Aerospace, Electrical, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.\nHands-on experience with real flight hardware or flight-like hardware—through research, or industry. We're looking for demonstrated contact with actual systems (built it, tested it, broke it, fixed it).\nWorking knowledge of systems engineering fundamentals: requirements, budgets (mass, power, link, pointing), V&V planning.\nSome exposure to environmental qualification or AIT (vibration, shock, TVAC, EMC).\nDemonstrated ability to work independently and take technical ownership of a problem.\nPreferred\nExperience with optical payloads, laser communication terminals, or precision pointing systems in space.\nFamiliarity with smallsat / NewSpace development models and hosted payload integration.\nKnowledge of radiation effects and mitigation for electronics and optics.\nPrior startup or small-team experience scaling engineering processes.\nLocation\nThis is an onsite/hybrid role based in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA – hardware work that’s hard to do remotely. Some travel expected for test campaigns and vendor/manufacturing visits.\nBenefits:\nGenerous equity\nCompetitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)\n401(k)\nEEO & Reasonable Accommodations\nAzora is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.\nIf you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know by contacting careers@azora.space\nExport Control\nTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.\nSalary ranges are based on the following criteria:\nFinal salary is based on geographic location, experience, skills, and qualifications.\nAbout this Company\nAzora is building high-bandwidth communications infrastructure for environments where fiber can’t reach. This work spans LEO spacecraft constellations, lunar exploration missions, GEO satcom, deployable optical ground for defense, and data centers both on- and off-world. To enable rapid global proliferation Azora is developing compact and modular optical terminals small enough to deploy from a backpack, and space terminals that support high speed optical links from LEO out to the Moon.","datePosted":"2026-08-12T13:27:54.846Z","dateModified":"2026-08-12T13:27:54.846Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Azora","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Alameda","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"b8be5c4dbbbab3b22476e454"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/b8be5c4dbbbab3b22476e454"}}