Optical Systems Engineer

Power the future of Space at Star Catcher

Star Catcher is powering the future of space by building the world’s first orbital energy grid: the Star Catcher Network. Spacecraft connect into the Star Catcher Network and receive conditioned energy via their existing solar arrays, requiring no retrofit to utilize the first true space-based infrastructure. The Star Catcher Network provides power as needed from tens of Watts to tens of thousands of Watts at concentrations from fractions of a Sun of flux to ten Suns of flux. 

The Star Catcher Network enables More Uptime, More Bandwidth, and More Mission.

Join our team of experienced and passionate space innovators driven to transform and expand humanity’s utilization of space. The creation of space-based power infrastructure is as impactful for space missions in the 2020’s and 2030’s as the advent of low-cost launch services was in the 2010’s. We seek individuals who share our passion for enabling people to do more in space and are not afraid to get their hands dirty to make our vision of the future reality.

Star Catcher, located in Jacksonville, FL, has an opportunity for a Optical Systems Engineer to support the development of space-to-space power beaming spacecraft and the Star Catcher Network, its orbital power grid. Responsible for  conducting research and development in optical system concepts, layout, and detailed design, applying knowledge of geometrical and physical optics. Apply expertise and results to achieve desired results in ground-based and space-based systems. Ensure manufacture, integration, test, verification and validation, and mission operations meet service requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Designing and developing free space optical systems for power transmission between spacecraft which satisfies overall system requirements.
• Conducting system architecture and design analysis to ensure optical performance and reliability.
• Executing system performance modeling and simulation.
• Constructing and utilizing prototypes and testbeds to validate system models.
• Support definition and documentation of system architecture and requirements at both the system and subsystem levels.
• Collaborating with multi-functional engineering teams including mechanical, opto-mechanical, electrical, thermal, structural, software, system, and test engineers and technicians. 
• Facilitating system level and subsystem level testing, including laboratory tests, field tests, and operational/on-orbit tests.
• Developing new tools and techniques as needed to improve our ability to model and understand key phenomena related to non-imaging optics systems, propagation in optical fibers (single mode and multimode), nonlinear optics, and other effects that operate with high peak and high optical power.
• Support business development efforts for proposals/bids.

Ideal Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Photonics or related technical field, Master’s or PhD preferred.
• At least five years experience in a relevant field.
• Proven track record in the successful design and development of optical and/or laser-based systems for either terrestrial or satellite applications.
• Experience with optical system design for manufacturing, design and cost
• Experience in optical transmission systems modeling, simulation, and performance tradeoff analysis
• Creative problem-solving skills, with the capability to develop innovative solutions to advanced engineering challenges.
• A solid foundation in the principles of optical and communication systems, capable of understanding and deriving specifications from first principles.

Desired Skills:

• Familiarity with configuration management practices.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to interface with the team and organization and prioritize tasks, projects, and personnel from a variety of disciplines.
• Experience with lens and optical design tools and multi-physics tools.
• Experience with software tools for performing complex analyses (Excel, MatLab, custom tools). 

Help us deploy and scale space infrastructure that will drive our utilization of space forward!  We offer a highly competitive benefits package. 

Star Catcher is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Star Catcher is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

All offers of employment at Star Catcher are contingent upon results of a thorough background check and your ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the US.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.