Senior Optical Engineer

What You’ll Do: 

As a senior member in Slingshot’s Research and Development (R&D) technical staff, you will take a lead role advancing Slingshot’s efforts to accelerate the security, safety, and sustainability of space via the detection, tracking, identification, and characterization of satellites and space debris. In the specialized optical engineer role, your work will include (i) designing state-of-the-art optical systems for space surveillance applications; (ii) modeling and simulation of optical system performance, including full radiometric trade studies; (iii) analyzing and optimizing optical system performance; and (iv) building calibration, maintenance and test procedures for our optical equipment in coordination with our Field Systems team. 

Position Responsibilities  

• Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s core values, mission, and purpose 
• Create novel optical system designs beyond traditional telescope systems to enable space surveillance capabilities that challenge industry norms 
• Use optics design software (e.g., Zemax) to model system performance 
• Build test benches for calibrating and characterizing sensor system performance for both optics (e.g., collimation, spectral transmission, PSF shapes, stray light) and sensors (e.g., quantum efficiency, pixel non-uniformities, read noise, angle of incidence sensitivity) 
• Study system-level and network-level capabilities as they apply to space surveillance, considering radiometric modeling of the sensing system, atmosphere, satellite reflectivity, and the relevant illumination sources. 
• Keep on the cutting edge by exploring non-traditional sensor concepts and optical technologies (e.g., metamaterial lenses and event-based cameras) 
• Develop algorithms and software to help automate and enhance sensor data collection and processing 
• Support ongoing and future transitions of Slingshot’s products and services to the Slingshot Global Sensor Network (SGSN), space operations centers, and other technology testbeds 
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes for their mission-critical needs 
• Contribute your expertise and ideas to help shape our products and strategies 
• Prepare technical reports and briefing materials 
• Represent your team and Slingshot to a broader audience through papers and presentations to customers and stakeholders 
• Serve as a technical expert and key contributor to Slingshot’s space surveillance technology development. 
• Lead the successful execution of individual projects, small team projects, and/or product development activities 
• Share subject matter expertise through mentoring and training of other staff  
• Take point in writing technical sections of proposals for winning new work 
• Lead technical work on larger team efforts including cross-team initiatives 
• Ideate and champion internal research & development activities 
• Perform other duties as assigned (to be less than 10% of the responsibilities listed above) 

Pre-Requisites 

• Must be a U.S. citizen eligible for government clearances 

Minimum Requirements 

• Master’s degree in optical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, astronomy, or a related field 
• 10+ years of relevant experience, potentially accounting for a record of academic excellence with relevant internship experience 
• Experience taking optical designs from concept, through software design, prototyping, and fielding. 
• Strong grasp of Zemax or similar optical design software 
• Ability to design optomechanical structures for lab prototyping and testing 
• Effective programming skills for building simulations (e.g., Python/Matlab) 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to convey salient details about advanced technology in a compelling manner to both experts and non-experts alike 
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time within and outside the United States to support customer engagements, technical exchanges, or sensor installations 
• Tenacious drive to overcome challenges and deliver solutions with excellence 

Preferred Skills 

• Ph.D. in optical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, astronomy, or a related field 
• Experience with space-based optical design and relevant sensing challenges 
• Experience developing algorithms for image analysis or optics calibration 
• Experience managing thermal expansion in high delta-T environments 
• Experience with designing optical systems for arctic climates 
• Ability to design optomechanical structures for fielding systems 
• Early-stage startup experience 

*These skills are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. You don’t have to meet every qualification listed- if your skills are transferable and you meet the minimum requirements, we encourage you to apply.  

 Location: Fort Collins, CO, USA or remote 

 Classification: Full time Exempt (learned professional exemption)