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 a Senior Optical Engineer at SpaceX, you will lead the design and validation of free-space optical systems for navigation sensors that integrate visible and infrared technologies. Your role involves setting the product vision, mentoring engineers, and ensuring designs meet high-performance standards while being manufacturable at scale. You will also analyze and troubleshoot optical assemblies, define processes, and collaborate with various teams to enhance product capabilities.
- benefits
- 5/5
- freshness
- 4/5
- career value
- 5/5
- 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
- 5+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, imaging, infrared sensing, or electrical/mechanical design or testing
- 5+ 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
- Experience driving product vision and system-level trades for complex electro-optical products
- Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and lead technical teams without relying solely on formal authority
- 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
What you get
- Pay Range: $165,000.00 - $230,000.00
- 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
- An active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on 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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