SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
PHOTONICS ENGINEER - FIBER AMPLIFIERS, SATELLITES (STARLINK)
Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and the leading global satellite internet provider. The laser communications team develops the high-power optical links that interconnect Starlink satellites enabling a high-throughput, low-latency global network. This role focuses on the fiber amplifier systems that are central to those links: high-performance, high-reliability amplifiers that must operate in the extreme thermal, radiation, and vacuum environment of space.
RESPONSIBILITIES :
Own the development of fiber amplifier systems for laser communications, including requirements definition, system design and analysis, and design validation.
Conduct validation and verification testing, including environmental qualification (thermal, TVAC, and radiation considerations), performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
Work closely with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
Represent the photonic system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing
Lead anomaly investigations through to resolution.
Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data.
Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated tested of fiber amplifier systems.
Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in physics, optics, electrical engineering, or other engineering/STEM discipline
2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in fiber-based optical systems/networks, integrated photonics chips, or fiber laser technology (university lab, student project, or internship experience qualifies)
1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
Minimum of 5 years of experience in engineering capacity in the field of fiber amplifiers, laser systems, or opto-electronics.
Hands-on experience in fiber amplifier design, integration, and test
Experience with high-power fiber system design, mitigation of non-linearities, and thermal management
Hands-on experience with optical pump lasers, fiber combiners, filters, and large-mode-area (LMA) fiber, electro-optic modulators.
Competence with fiber optics processing and handling (cleaving, stripping, splicing, recoating, glass processing, etc.)
Experience with characterizing fiber laser systems using optical test equipment (power meters, spectral analyzers, high-speed photodiodes, oscilloscopes, laser sources, beam profilers)
Knowledge of and experience in precision metrology techniques, manufacturing and integration processes
Experience leading the development of commercial photonics products
Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment
Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
Experience with laser safety best practices
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS :
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $105,000.00 - $145,000.00
Level 2: $120,000.00 -…