or apply directly on SpaceX's site. We never take the application ourselves.
Is this posting real?
- This role has been open
- 22 days SpaceX's roles stay open a median of 45 days
- Reposted
- No
- Salary listed
- Yes 52% of SpaceX's roles list one
- Ghost-job risk at SpaceX
- high 1459 stale, 43 reposted of 2,362 open
- Hiring momentum
- 3062 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 SpaceX's own greenhouse board since 2026-08-03. Full hiring picture for SpaceX.
About this role
As an Optical Engineer at SpaceX, you will be responsible for the design, validation, and operation of free-space optical systems for navigation sensors, integrating visible cameras and infrared sensing. Your role involves leading the design of optical components, analyzing and troubleshooting systems, and collaborating with manufacturing teams to ensure high-rate production. You will also conduct verification testing and define requirements for high-performance sensors in challenging environments.
- benefits
- 5/5
- freshness
- 4/5
- career value
- 4/5
- role clarity
- 5/5
- pay transparency
- 5/5
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 SpaceX as an employer.
What you need
- Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering discipline
- 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design or testing
- 1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)
Nice to have
- Master’s degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
- Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax
- Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of imaging or IR systems
- Experience designing 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
- Opto-mechanical design and analysis experience with precision mounting and alignment
What you get
- Pay Range: $135,000.00 - $170,000.00
- Long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards
- Potential discretionary bonuses
- Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
Worth weighing
- Working extended hours and weekends as needed
- Active clearance may be required for sensitive SpaceX missions, subjecting you to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
Summarised from SpaceX's posting. Read the full original.
Listed by SpaceX on their greenhouse job board, last confirmed open on 2026-09-17. PitchMeAI is not the employer.
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