Laser & Photonics Engineer (Optical Communications)

Location: San Carlos, California, United States; on-site

Salary: $120,000–$200,000 annually

Company

Building satellite infrastructure for orbital energy, computing, and secure high-bandwidth optical communications.

What you will do

• Design and develop high-power fiber laser and amplifier systems for space-based applications.
• Characterize laser sources by measuring linewidth, phase noise, RIN, and spectral purity.
• Select, integrate, qualify, splice, and assemble fiber-optic components and subassemblies.
• Model and measure fiber nonlinearities including SBS and SPM.
• Design and align coherent fiber-optic receivers.
• Create and execute optical verification plans covering BER, eye diagrams, and spectral measurements, then produce specifications, procedures, and test reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience with fiber-optic systems, including splicing, component integration, and characterization.
• Experience with rare-earth-doped fiber amplifiers and fiber-optic communications modulation formats.
• Experience operating optical spectrum analyzers, power meters, polarimeters, and high-speed oscilloscopes.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual, or eligible to obtain the authorizations required under ITAR.

Nice to have

• Master’s degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Experience building and characterizing MOPA fiber amplifier chains, interferometric optical receivers, or coherent detection front-ends.
• 5+ years of experience in laser communications, defense, aerospace photonics, or free-space optical communications.
• Experience with LEO inter-satellite links, environmental validation, or Class 4 laser lab environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Equity in hirify.global.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, paid time off, and 10 paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave and relocation assistance if applicable.
• Daily office lunch and a stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks.