Senior Telescope Systems Engineer

Our client’s mission is to dramatically expand access to high performance space telescopes, democratize the scientific process, and build tools.

Our client's team members own the full lifecycle of spaceflight hardware and software, from early architecture through flight. The systems you build will go to orbit within the next two years.

We are looking for an experienced Telescope Systems Engineer to own the end to end architecture of our telescope platform and keep the system technically coherent as it evolves. This role is about judgment, accountability, and making complex systems work in the real world.

You will serve as the technical backbone of the Telescope Assembly and ensure it meets diffraction limited performance under realistic flight conditions.

• Serve as the Cognizant Engineer for the our client's Telescope Assembly and be accountable for system level performance
• Drive requirements, interfaces, and trade studies across optics, structures, thermal, avionics, and software
• Own and manage system budgets and margins, including mass, power, pointing, and thermal stability, and keep them honest as designs change
• Provide technical oversight and direction for structural, thermal, optical, and pointing analysis
• Plan verification, integration, and test milestones that balance speed with rigor
• Lead technical interactions with key subcontractors and vendors delivering telescope components and subsystems, including optics fabrication, alignment ground support equipment, and analysis partners

• Publish a version one system budget with clear margin policy and the interfaces that matter most
• Turn the next integration milestone into a concrete verification plan and test matrix
• Unblock at least two cross discipline technical decisions with clear trades, rationale, and accountable owners

If you can balance rigor with velocity and keep complex systems aligned to mission goals, we should talk.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
• 5-8+ years of experience designing and analyzing aerospace or optical payload system
• Demonstrated experience designing, building, testing, and manufacturing spaceflight hardware, with emphasis on flight qualified optical systems
• Strong background in opto mechanical design, including flexure mounts, metering structures, and stray light control
• Hands on experience with metrology and alignment of high precision optical systems
• Proven ability to work across disciplines and communicate complex technical concepts clearly

• Experience designing for low vibration environments and managing launch loads
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards, including NASA technical standards and military specifications
• Experience working in fast moving aerospace development programs
• Unlimited PTO, Sick Leave, Parental Leave and Bereavement Leave
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance, Reproductive Healthcare, Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account plans, Life and Disability Insurance, One Medical.
• 401k, Dependent Travel Reimbursement, Education Benefits, Cell Phone and WiFi reimbursement, a one time work from home setup stipend, commuter benefits, and wellness programs.