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Optical Engineer

K2 Space· Mechanical
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Los Angeles, CA$110k - $200kfull-timePosted 4w ago

About the role

Optical Engineer role at K2 Space in Los Angeles, CA, contributing to payload-focused optical hardware development for space missions across multiple orbits, from initial analysis through manufacturing and on-orbit operation.

Responsibilities

  • Own well-bounded technical deliverables from problem definition through documented, validated results.
  • Build, align, calibrate, automate, and maintain custom free-space and fiber-optic test systems, including optics-intensive hardware-in-the-loop infrastructure.
  • Plan and execute experiments that characterize optical components and assemblies, isolate performance-degradation mechanisms, and quantify their effect on end-to-end system performance.
  • Develop optical models, performance budgets, tolerance analyses, and data-processing tools; correlate predictions with test results and translate findings into requirements, design changes, and recommended performance margins.
  • Design, specify, procure, and validate custom optics, optomechanical components, calibration hardware, fixtures, and test equipment.
  • Develop and qualify repeatable optical fabrication and assembly processes for high volume production, including fiber splicing, adhesive bonding, alignment, cleaning, inspection, and test.
  • Support environmental qualification, reliability testing, payload integration, flight-readiness activities, and on-orbit commissioning. Troubleshoot anomalies and help drive root-cause-based hardware or process changes.
  • Communicate technical work through design reviews, test plans and reports, drawings, specifications, procedures, and configuration-controlled data.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience.
  • 1+ years of relevant experience. Internships, co-ops, academic research, student engineering teams, and substantial personal projects count toward this requirement.
  • Working knowledge of geometrical and physical optics and familiarity with common free-space optical, fiber-optic, and optomechanical components.

Skills

Required:Optical engineering fundamentalsTest system developmentModeling and analysisCommunication
Nice to have:Fabrication and assembly

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks.
Last updated Sep 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About K2 Space

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Building the largest satellites in orbit. Ultra-powerful, scalable platforms engineered for LEO–cislunar missions. Explore the next-generation of satellites.

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