What are the responsibilities and job description for the 5 Positions position at Optical Society of Southern California?
Author Last Post
Unsig Min
11/11/2025 1:44 PM
I plan to hire multiple Engineers.
If you have these skills, please send me your resume with the Job title in the email subject.
Thanks,
Unsig Min
umin@blueorigin.com
Overview
The Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer will serve as the technical lead for the mechanical design, structural analysis, and line-of-sight (LOS) stability of optical communication for space environments. This role is critical to a production line. You will own the mount/cell design, STOP analysis, and environmental qualification for an optical payload.
Core Responsibilities
Opto-Mechanical Design Leadership
Minimum Qualifications ( 10 Years)
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
Overview
The Thermal & Materials Engineer will own the thermal architecture, athermalization, materials selection, and contamination control for the payload. This role is responsible for ensuring the optical system maintains performance across all mission environments. Your expertise in thermal management and space-grade materials will be crucial to developing a robust design that is ready for production.
Core Responsibilities
Thermal Architecture & Athermalization
Minimum Qualifications (5 Years)
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
Overview
The Optical Integration & Metrology Lead will serve as the technical authority for the alignment, metrology, and as-built modeling of the payload. This role is responsible for developing production-grade alignment workflows that are robust, repeatable, and capable of meeting manufacturing. You will own the metrology processes that guarantee our systems meet stringent LOS and WFE performance requirements.
Core Responsibilities
Production Alignment & Process Development
Minimum Qualifications (5 Years)
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
Overview
The Production Test & Tooling Engineer is a combined Manufacturing/GSE and Test/Automation role that serves as the nexus for production readiness. You will be the primary driver for DFM/DFA, designing the fixtures, GSE, and automated test systems for production readiness goals. This role is critical to transforming a prototype design into a reliable, production product.
Core Responsibilities
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Process Planning
Minimum Qualifications (5 Years)
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
Overview
As the lead Senior Optics Technician, you will be on the front line of building our optical communication payloads. This role executes the hands-on assembly, bonding, and alignment of our precision optical systems in a Class 100/1000 cleanroom. Your expertise and feedback will be critical to refining our manufacturing processes and achieving production.
Core Responsibilities
Cleanroom Assembly & Process Execution
Minimum Qualifications (7 Years)
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
Unsig Min
11/11/2025 1:44 PM
I plan to hire multiple Engineers.
If you have these skills, please send me your resume with the Job title in the email subject.
Thanks,
Unsig Min
umin@blueorigin.com
- Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer (Structural Dynamics & LOS Stability)
Overview
The Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer will serve as the technical lead for the mechanical design, structural analysis, and line-of-sight (LOS) stability of optical communication for space environments. This role is critical to a production line. You will own the mount/cell design, STOP analysis, and environmental qualification for an optical payload.
Core Responsibilities
Opto-Mechanical Design Leadership
- Lead mechanical design of sub-assemblies, including telescope mounts/cells, benches, kinematic interfaces, and fiber management systems.
- Design for maximum stability against dynamic launch loads (random vibration, shock) and on-orbit thermal cycling.
- Define datum/fiducials, build-to tolerances, and align-to tolerances; generate interface control drawings (ICDs) and production-ready drawings with comprehensive GD&T.
- Drive DFM and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles into the hardware design from the start to enable reliable, cost-effective production.
- Interface with internal manufacturing, tooling, and GSE teams to optimize assembly sequences, reduce part count, and simplify fixtures.
- Support tolerance stack-ups and dimensional metrology planning to ensure designs meet production quality.
- Perform detailed STOP analysis using Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS/Nastran) to model and predict effects of thermal loads, vibration, and static loads on optical performance (Wavefront Error, MTF, LOS jitter) with Optical Engineer.
- Own the LOS stability budget; conduct sensitivity studies for mount compliance, CTE mismatch, thermal gradients, and structural damping.
- Optimize stiffness/mass ratios and modal separation strategies to survive vibe/shock while protecting WFE/MTF performance.
- Partner with the Thermal & Materials Engineer on athermalization strategies for interfaces.
- Support environmental test campaigns (TVAC, random vibration, shock) and lead root-cause analysis for any structural or mechanical anomalies.
- Support hands-on optical alignment and integration in a Class 100/1000 cleanroom, providing mechanical expertise to resolve fit and function issues.
Minimum Qualifications ( 10 Years)
- BS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering (MS preferred) and 10 years of professional experience in opto-mechanical engineering for space payloads.
- Proven expertise in structural FEA (ANSYS/Nastran) for modal, random vibration, and shock analysis.
- Expert proficiency in CAD (PTC Creo or NX) for complex opto-mechanical assemblies and production drawings.
- Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and DFM/DFA principles.
- Hands-on experience with interfaces, kinematic mounts, and contamination-sensitive optical hardware.
- Expertise in STOP analysis and athermalization techniques.
- Experience with fiber optics, pigtails, and active alignment systems.
- Prior flight hardware qualification and environmental test campaign leadership.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001/AS9100 and spaceflight documentation practices.
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
- Thermal & Materials Engineer (Space Optics)
Overview
The Thermal & Materials Engineer will own the thermal architecture, athermalization, materials selection, and contamination control for the payload. This role is responsible for ensuring the optical system maintains performance across all mission environments. Your expertise in thermal management and space-grade materials will be crucial to developing a robust design that is ready for production.
Core Responsibilities
Thermal Architecture & Athermalization
- Develop and close the thermal portion of STOP models to predict thermal-induced WFE and LOS drift.
- Design athermal interfaces (CTE matching, flexures) for optics on benches, ensuring they are manufacturable and repeatable in production.
- Design active thermal management for optical subsystems.
- Select materials, adhesives, and coatings for space use that meet outgassing requirements and are suitable for volume manufacturing.
- Define production-scalable processes for bakeout, adhesive cure schedules, and handling time windows to minimize contamination risk.
- Own the contamination control plan, ensuring its practical implementation on the production floor.
- Author TVAC test profiles and instrumentation plans to validate thermal models and system performance.
- Support pre/post-environment optical re-verification, analyzing data to confirm thermal design margins.
Minimum Qualifications (5 Years)
- BS/MS in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Materials Engineering.
- 5 years in thermal design and analysis for optical payloads or complex space hardware.
- Experience with heaters, MLI, and TVAC test operations.
- Expertise in materials/outgassing, adhesive selection, bakeout planning, and contamination control for space applications.
- Experience with STOP analysis and thermal-structural FEA coupling.
- Knowledge of how production process variations (e.g., bondline thickness, coating application) impact thermal performance.
- Familiarity with thermal management for fiber optics and lasers.
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
- Optical Integration & Metrology Lead
Overview
The Optical Integration & Metrology Lead will serve as the technical authority for the alignment, metrology, and as-built modeling of the payload. This role is responsible for developing production-grade alignment workflows that are robust, repeatable, and capable of meeting manufacturing. You will own the metrology processes that guarantee our systems meet stringent LOS and WFE performance requirements.
Core Responsibilities
Production Alignment & Process Development
- Author and execute alignment procedures for the telescope, relay optics, and fiber I/O, with a focus on DFA to minimize process steps.
- Define align-to tolerances and verification steps with clear pass/fail criteria for production operators.
- Lead hands-on optical alignment in a cleanroom using interferometry, autocollimators.
- Establish metrology datums and fiducials and develop measurement uncertainty budgets.
- Lead Measurement System Analysis (MSA) and GR&R campaigns to qualify production metrology instruments, ensuring GR&R.
- Implement SPC for critical alignment parameters to monitor process capability and drive continuous improvement.
- Build and maintain optical as-built models, correlating metrology data to optical performance to refine production tolerances.
- Support pre/post-environment optical re-verification after vibe/shock/TVAC.
- Drive root-cause analysis for alignment yield issues and partner with engineering to implement robust solutions.
Minimum Qualifications (5 Years)
- BS/MS in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics.
- 5 years in optical alignment and metrology for precision or space optics.
- Hands-on proficiency with interferometry, autocollimators.
- Strong understanding of GR&R, MSA, SPC, and measurement uncertainty analysis.
- Proficiency with Zemax OpticStudio or Code V for tolerance and as-built analysis.
- Experience with automated alignment systems, fiber coupling, and polarization metrology.
- Prior experience scaling an optical alignment process from prototype to production.
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
- Production Test & Tooling Engineer (DFM/DFA)
Overview
The Production Test & Tooling Engineer is a combined Manufacturing/GSE and Test/Automation role that serves as the nexus for production readiness. You will be the primary driver for DFM/DFA, designing the fixtures, GSE, and automated test systems for production readiness goals. This role is critical to transforming a prototype design into a reliable, production product.
Core Responsibilities
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Process Planning
- Lead DFM/DFA reviews with the design team, driving changes to improve manufacturability, assembly time, and yield.
- Author manufacturing routers, travelers, and work instructions (WI) optimized for production flow.
- Own Statistical Process Control (SPC) implementation and capability (Cpk) monitoring for critical manufacturing and alignment processes.
- Design and build precision alignment nests, bondline gauges, shim kits, handling/transport tooling, and gimbal integration aids.
- Manage fixture tryouts and iterative refinements, ensuring tooling supports cycle time and yield targets.
- Coordinate dimensional metrology and GR&R campaigns for all production tooling.
- Plan and execute vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing for production qualification.
- Develop DAQ/control scripts (Python/MATLAB) to automate test execution and data collection, including LOS stability (PSD, jitter) and WFE metrics.
- Own and automate the data reduction pipelines and generation of test reports with uncertainty analysis.
- Develop Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and own reliability documentation (TRR, PRR, FAI).
- Support root-cause investigations during EVT/DVT, implementing corrective actions for any process or tooling issues.
Minimum Qualifications (5 Years)
- BS/MS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or Systems Engineering.
- 5 years in a production-focused role involving test automation, tooling, and DFM/DFA for complex systems (aerospace, medical, or automotive).
- Proficiency in DFM/DFA principles, GD&T, and fixture/GSE design using CAD (Creo/NX).
- Experience with environmental test operations (vibe, shock, TVAC).
- Strong scripting skills in Python or MATLAB for DAQ and test automation.
- Experience in standing up a new production line or transitioning from prototype to production.
- Knowledge of ISO 9001/AS9100 quality systems, process FMEA, and PPAP.
- Familiarity with optical test metrics (WFE, MTF, LOS jitter).
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
- Senior Optics Technician (Cleanroom Assembly & Handling)
Overview
As the lead Senior Optics Technician, you will be on the front line of building our optical communication payloads. This role executes the hands-on assembly, bonding, and alignment of our precision optical systems in a Class 100/1000 cleanroom. Your expertise and feedback will be critical to refining our manufacturing processes and achieving production.
Core Responsibilities
Cleanroom Assembly & Process Execution
- Perform clean assembly of telescope mirrors, relay optics, polarization components, and detector modules, following travelers and work instructions.
- Execute precision bonding and shimming operations using defined processes and tooling.
- Apply and verify black coatings and manage bakeout processes to meet contamination control requirements.
- Maintain impeccable ISO-class cleanliness, ESD/FOD discipline, and process documentation.
- Set up and support optical alignment workflows using interferometers and autocollimators under engineering guidance.
- Provide real-time feedback to engineering on fixture usability, process ergonomics, and opportunities to improve cycle time and yield (key DFA input).
- Collaborate with the engineering team to refine work instructions and tooling based on build experience.
- Mentor and train additional operators as the production line scales.
Minimum Qualifications (7 Years)
- 7 years of hands-on experience in the assembly of precision optical or microelectronic systems in a cleanroom environment.
- Proficiency with optical bonding, shimming, and handling of delicate coated optics.
- Experience working from detailed work instructions and supporting engineering-led assembly.
- Strong documentation skills and commitment to quality, safety, and cleanliness protocols.
- Experience with space-flight hardware and contamination control protocols.
- Familiarity with fiber optic handling, splicing, and termination.
- Direct experience supporting optical alignment with interferometers or autocollimators.
- Previous role in a production ramp or AS9100 manufacturing environment.
We are building a diverse team of passionate builders. Job descriptions are not perfect checklists. If you are excited about this mission but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles.
