Optical Engineer

San Carlos, California

San Carlos, California

Full time

On-site

Lasers/Optics

About Cowboy Space Corp:

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities—from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we’re unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.

Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We’re moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.

About the Role:

The Lasers & Optics team is looking for an Optical Engineer to design and build the free-space optical path for our next generation laser communications system. This role spans the transmitter beam path, the ground receive telescope, and beam diagnostic systems. You will work closely with laser, mechanical, and systems engineers to deliver a working end-to-end optical link.

Responsibilities:

• Design and optimize free-space optical assemblies including beam expanders, collimators, and telescope interfaces.

• Build and maintain optical system models using Zemax or Code V, including tolerance and stray light analyses.

• Define optical interface specifications for mechanical and opto-mechanical design.

• Specify optical components, coatings, and filters, and manage procurement and acceptance testing.

• Own the optical coupling efficiency budget from the receive telescope to the fiber injection point.

• Perform structural-thermal-optical (STOP) analyses in coordination with mechanical and thermal engineers.

• Define alignment budgets and verification procedures for deployable opto-mechanical subassemblies, accounting for structural compliance and launch loads.

• Define alignment procedures and execute hands-on integration and alignment in the lab.

• Generate design specifications, analysis reports, and test plans.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.

• 3+ years of experience designing free-space optical systems.

• Proficiency in Zemax or Code V.

• Experience specifying, procuring, and acceptance testing custom optical components and coatings.

• Experience with optical tolerance budgeting including Monte Carlo methods, alignment sensitivity analysis, and thermal/athermal analysis across operating temperature ranges.

• Experience with structural-thermal-optical (STOP) analysis and multi-physics optical performance modeling.

• Hands-on experience aligning and characterizing optical assemblies.

• Familiarity with fiber-to-free-space coupling and single-mode fiber injection.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering or Physics.

• 5+ years of experience in an aerospace or defense optical systems role.

• Experience with FSO communication.

• Familiarity with adaptive optics.

• Experience with alignment stability analysis for deployable or launch-survivable optical assemblies.

• Experience with environmental validation of space-based optical systems (thermal-vacuum, vibration, radiation).

• Experience with Class 4 laser lab environments.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $200,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.

• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance

• 401(k) retirement savings plan

• Paid time off

• 10 paid holidays per calendar year

• Paid parental leave

• Relocation assistance if applicable

• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements

• Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants 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. Learn more about ITAR here.

Disclaimer

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.’s discretion.

Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.