Senior Optomechanical Engineer

Location: Onsite in Broomfield, Colorado
Compensation: 115,000 to 130,000 USD base salary, plus equity and full benefits
US Person Required

Darwin Space are partnered with an exciting space company who are building next generation optical communication systems for space applications. They are expanding their engineering team with multiple Senior Optomechanical Engineers. Their work involves designing space qualified optical assemblies that must survive extreme launch loads, operate with micron level stability on orbit and be produced in a scalable, cost effective manner.

They are looking for engineers with strong optomechanical fundamentals, real industry experience and a track record of owning designs from concept through integration and testing. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast moving environment, can take ambiguous requirements and turn them into clear design actions, and wants to contribute directly to a new generation of space based communication technology.

They value engineers who bring stability in their career history, hands on capability and the judgment that comes from real hardware experience.

Role Overview

As a Senior Optomechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for mechanical and optical system design, alignment strategies, tolerance analysis and performance verification for precision optical hardware intended for space environments. You will work across optical, mechanical, electrical and controls disciplines to ensure that your designs deliver stable, repeatable optical performance under vacuum, thermal cycling, vibration and mechanical stress.

You will own the full lifecycle of optomechanical assemblies including concept development, CAD design, analysis, prototyping, alignment strategies, environmental testing and release to production. You will mentor junior engineers, represent optomechanical design in cross functional discussions and support both ground based and flight system development.

This is a hands on, senior individual contributor role with significant ownership and visibility.

Key Responsibilities

Optomechanical Design

• Lead the full lifecycle of optomechanical subsystems including optical mounts, alignment mechanisms, kinematic interfaces and structural components
• Design high precision mechanical fixtures for lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, waveplates and laser systems
• Develop alignment strategies and mechanical architectures that maintain optical stability through thermal, vibrational and mechanical stress
• Perform Structural Thermal Optical Performance analysis to validate designs

Modeling and Analysis

• Use optical software such as Zemax to evaluate tolerance sensitivity, wavefront error, spot size and optical performance
• Use mechanical design tools such as SolidWorks or NX to design high precision parts and assemblies
• Conduct thermal, structural, modal and tolerance analysis to ensure space environment robustness

Prototype, Test and Validate

• Define assembly and alignment procedures and oversee hands on implementation
• Support testing across vibration, thermal, vacuum and laboratory environments
• Develop and document test procedures and assembly guidelines
• Participate directly in alignment, optical bench work and prototype bring up

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Work with optical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and controls teams to achieve integrated designs
• Support system level interface definition and verification
• Present design results, tolerance budgets and environmental performance to internal teams

Documentation and Leadership

• Create detailed engineering documentation, drawings and analysis reports
• Mentor engineers working in optical and mechanical areas
• Support continuous improvement of design practices and manufacturing processes

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Optics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or a related discipline
• Five or more years of optomechanical design experience, ideally for space, precision optical systems or high stability optical instruments
• Proficiency in optical design tools such as Zemax
• Proficiency in CAD tools such as SolidWorks or NX
• Experience designing optical mounts and precision mechanical assemblies
• Strong understanding of GD&T and production level drawings
• Experience with environmental testing including vibration, thermal and alignment verification
• US citizenship, permanent residency or other status that qualifies as a US Person under export regulations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing optical systems for satellites, astronomy or other space applications
• Hands on cleanroom experience (ISO 5 through ISO 8)
• Spanish language ability
• Experience working in a small, fast paced company environment
• Experience supporting scaled production of optical hardware

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary between 115,000 and 130,000 USD
• Bonus and equity opportunities
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• 401k plan
• PTO and mental health resources
• Pet insurance and legal insurance options
• Relocation support available for qualified candidates