or apply directly on Space Kinetic's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 27 days Space Kinetic's roles stay open a median of 45 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- No 0% of Space Kinetic's roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at Space Kinetic
- high 39 stale, 1 reposted of 48 open
- Hiring momentum
- 56 roles opened in the last 90 days ↑ up vs. the prior 90 days
- Last confirmed on the employer's board
- 2026-09-17
Measured from postings appearing on and disappearing from Space Kinetic's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for Space Kinetic.
About this role
As a Senior Optics Engineer at Space Kinetic, you will be responsible for the design, integration, and qualification of optical and optomechanical systems for spacecraft and payload technologies. Your role involves hands-on work with complex optical hardware, from early architecture through to flight-ready production, including environmental testing and performance analysis. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure manufacturable hardware that meets mission-specific requirements.
- benefits
- 2/5
- freshness
- 4/5
- career value
- 4/5
- role clarity
- 5/5
- pay transparency
- 0/5
Scored from the posting itself — how clearly the role is described, how much it says about pay and benefits, and how recently it was listed. Not a judgement of Space Kinetic as an employer.
What you need
- Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
- 7+ years of experience designing, integrating, and testing optical, imaging, photonic, infrared, or laser-based hardware
- Demonstrated experience taking an optical or optomechanical assembly from concept through environmental qualification
- Strong understanding of geometric and wave optics, optical aberrations, radiometry, tolerance analysis, and optical performance budgeting
- Proficiency with Zemax, CODE V, or equivalent optical design and modeling software
- Hands-on experience with optical alignment, calibration, and metrology, including methods such as interferometry, MTF, boresight, transmission, or stray-light testing
Nice to have
- Experience developing optical systems for spacecraft, satellites, defense platforms, airborne systems, or other high-reliability applications
- Experience with infrared systems, free-space optics, laser communications, imaging payloads, star trackers, or pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems
- Experience with optical coatings, windows, detectors, focal-plane arrays, thermal interfaces, or stray-light analysis
- Familiarity with SolidWorks, NX, Creo, GD&T, and the design of precision optomechanical assemblies
- Experience qualifying optical suppliers and transitioning optical hardware from prototype development into repeatable production
What you get
- Equity-Based Compensation
- Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
- Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure
Worth weighing
- No remote work option mentioned, position is onsite in El Segundo, CA
- The role requires a high level of commitment and may not fit those seeking a traditional work-life balance
- Salary range provided but individual pay may vary significantly based on multiple factors
- Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year)
Summarised from Space Kinetic's posting. Read the full original.
Listed by Space Kinetic on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-09-17. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
More roles at Space Kinetic
- Structural Analysis EngineerEl Segundo, California