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Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer

Impulse Space

Job Location:

Redondo Beach, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 125000 - 200000

Posted: 7 June 2026 (30+ days ago)

Application Deadline: 21 October 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Impulse Space is seeking an Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer to support the development of precision optical systems for spacecraft. This role will focus on the mechanical design of optical assemblies telescope structures lens barrels detector mounts mirror mounts baffles pointing mechanisms and alignment hardware for optical payloads.

This engineer will help turn optical concepts into flight hardware: mechanically robust alignable manufacturable testable and stable through launch and on-orbit environments. Depending on experience level this role may support own or lead the design of opto-mechanical assemblies from early architecture through detailed design build test and flight qualification.

Responsibilities

Design opto-mechanical hardware for spacecraft optical systems including lens barrels telescope structures detector mounts optical benches mirror mounts baffles flexures kinematic mounts and precision alignment features.
Design mechanisms used in optical systems including gimbals focus mechanisms launch locks adjustable mounts fast steering mirror interfaces voice-coil or limited-angle actuation systems motorized stages and pointing assemblies.
Develop mechanical architectures that support optical performance requirements such as element spacing decenter tilt detector placement boresight alignment line-of-sight stability and alignment retention.
Work with optical engineers to convert optical prescriptions lens layouts chief ray constraints pupil locations detector tolerances and stray light constraints into practical mechanical designs.
Support the development of athermalized optical barrels and precision camera/telescope assemblies for high-accuracy star tracker and optical payload applications.
Create CAD models drawings tolerance stackups GD&T BOMs interface control documents assembly procedures and test fixture designs.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Aerospace Engineering Optical Engineering Physics or related technical discipline or equivalent practical experience.
3 years of demonstrated experience with mechanical design precision hardware opto-mechanical systems mechanisms aerospace hardware or related engineering work through coursework internships research or professional experience.
CAD experience with NX SolidWorks Creo CATIA or similar mechanical design software.
Understanding of mechanical drawings GD&T tolerance analysis materials fasteners manufacturing processes and assembly constraints.

Preferred Skills and Experience

5 years of demonstrated experience designing optical or precision mechanical hardware such as lens barrels telescope assemblies mirror mounts detector mounts baffles flexures kinematic mounts or bonded optics.
Experience with athermalized optical barrel design CTE matching thermal compensation and material selection for optical stability.
5 years of demonstrated experience with spacecraft aerospace camera systems star trackers EO/IR payloads lasercom terminals optical ground stations or precision pointing systems.
Experience with telescope structures reflective optics mounting mirror cells compact optical assemblies stray light baffles and optical alignment features.
Experience with mechanisms such as gimbals fast steering mirrors voice coils torque motors stepper motors encoders bearings launch locks flexure stages and deployable or adjustable optical mounts.

Additional Information:

Compensation bands are determined by role level location and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills education experience technical capabilities and internal addition to base salary for full-time hires you may also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of stock options and access to medical vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Impulse Spaces spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e. U.S. citizen U.S. national lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder) an individual granted asylum in the U.S. or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State Commerce or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race color religion gender national origin/ethnicity veteran status disability status age sexual orientation gender identity marital status mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Required Experience:

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