# Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield) at SpaceX

- Company: SpaceX
- What the company does: SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets. Backed by Kleiner Perkins, a16z and Founders Fund.
- Company website: https://www.spacex.com/
- Type: Startups
- Level: Senior
- Location: Hawthorne, CA
- Work setup: On-site
- Posted: 2026-10-13
- Apply by: 2026-11-27
- Apply: https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/8859402002?gh_jid=8859402002&utm_source=1752vc&utm_medium=careers
- Page: https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/spacex-sr-optical-engineer-starshield/

## About the role

As a Starshield optical engineer, you will be responsible for free-space optical system design, validation, and operation. You will shape the future of laser communication systems and directly contribute to mission-critical applications such as next-generation star tracking system for precise navigation in space environments. Found on 1752vc Careers, the job board for startup and VC roles.

## What they're looking for

- Bachelor’s degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering/STEM discipline
- 5+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or electrical/mechanical
- 3+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)
- Working extended hours and weekends as needed
- Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

Tags: Starshield Satellite Engineering

Source: 1752vc Careers, https://www.1752.vc/careers/jobs/spacex-sr-optical-engineer-starshield/