Optical Systems Engineer; Entry Level

Position Overview

Millennium Space Systems is seeking an Optical Systems Engineer (Entry Level) to join its Optical Engineering Team in Location: El Segundo, CA. The Optical Engineering Team provides optical systems engineering services to direct programs, studies, proposals, and IRAD efforts, managing interfaces between the space vehicle and electro‐optical (EO)/infrared (IR) payloads as well as Optical Communications Terminals (OCTs). The team models mission phenomenology and detection performance of active and passive sensors across a range of spectral, spatial, and radiometric attributes, designs and develops optical hardware—including star trackers and sensor suites—to support autonomous navigation and docking maneuvers, and determines appropriate image processing algorithms for mission success. This entry-level role requires a background in optical engineering and physics, with emphasis on experience in spaceborne EO sensor technology. Candidates will perform optical lab testing, help define mission performance requirements, and simulate/model optical system performance. Note: This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements and requires a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. 120.15.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute unit and system level optical tests to verify performance.
• Design and implement system/payload performance modeling and simulation.
• Support trade studies and other forms of analysis to predict system performance.
• Assist in supplier and partner performance evaluations.
• Support internal optical product development efforts.
• Help develop and validate mission and unit level requirements for EO sensors, associated image processing, and space vehicle interfaces.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering or the physical sciences.
• Methodical design, testing, and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance; U.S. Citizenship is required along with an interim and/or final U.S. Top Secret Clearance post-start.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in optical engineering, physics, or another relevant engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience with space-related optical instrumentation.
• 2+ years of experience in satellite design and/or operation.
• Experience with mission requirements flow-down to low-level EO requirements.
• Experience with EO sensor performance and phenomenology.
• Proficiency in modeling and simulation of EO sensors and satellite systems.
• Experience with optical end-to-end testing and qualification of optical hardware.
• Knowledge of onboard and ground processing of optical data.
• Experience managing subcontractors providing optical hardware.
• Experience developing rapid design models to support proposal efforts.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Benefits & Perks

• Benefits: Competitive base pay, variable compensation opportunities, and a range of benefit programs.
• Schedule: 1st shift.