Optical Engineer - AI&T, Space Imaging

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Anduril Imaging team develops state-of-the-art imaging systems across both hardware and software, deployed to tackle the most significant security challenges of America and its allies. The team is heavily involved in utilizing computer vision, perception, electro-optical, infrared, and sensor data to give our war fighters and allies an advantage.
ABOUT THE JOB

The Space Imaging team is seeking an Optical Engineer to focus on assembly, integration, and testing in support of a new product lines for spaceborne systems. In this role, you will work closely with an interdisciplinary technical team to own procurement, optical assembly, integration, and test activities as we mature prototypes into products.
Successful candidates will have experience building, validating, and delivering environmentally rugged optical systems in both prototype and production environments.
WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead the assembly, integration and test for novel optical systems
• Work with optical suppliers to procure optical elements, including regular status updates, technical oversight, acceptance test verification, and anomaly resolutions.
• Generate alignment plans and procedures
• Align optical systems with equipment including autocollimators, theodolites, alignment telescopes, interferometers, lens alignment stations, and various other mechanical methods
• Manage integration and test vendors to successfully scale production of complex infrared assemblies.
• Develop and review test setups, procedures, and data to transition products and systems from R&D to production
• Evaluate and analyze prototype and production optical system performance errors to determine root cause
• Interface with test and evaluation teams to qualify optical performance through lab, field, and airborne testing.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in Engineering or Physics/Astronomy required with a concentration in Optics
• 5+ years of experience with complex opto-mechanical systems, performing optical assembly, integration, and testing in the workforce
• Strong experience on free space optical systems integration and development for a space or airborne environment.
• Knowledge of how electro-optical systems are specified, developed, manufactured, and tested
• Experience with optical tolerancing, lens manufacturing methods, and drawing standards
• Knowledge and experience laboratory testing including optical component testing experience (spectral transmission, interferometry, etc.), optical system alignment, and testing (EE, MTF, PSF, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience in the integration, test, and performance requirements verification and validation of optical systems
• Experience in prototype and production development, including requirements validation
• Experience with optical design and analysis software (Zemax or CODE V)
• Data analysis proficiency in Matlab, Python, or similiar
• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MS or PhD in Optics
• Demonstrated first principles approach to complex opto-mechanical problems
• Knowledge of image quality metrics and data analysis methods
• Experience with the test and evaluation of optical systems through thermally and vibrationally dynamic environments.
• Demonstrated team leadership experience and mentoring of junior staff
• Knowledge of common materials used in infrared optical systems and limitations of fabrication methods of optics (molded, polished, diamond turned)
• Strong optomechanical engineering background, with experience in lens bonding and retention, athermalization, and mount design.
• Experience with Zygo MX, 4D 4Sight, or Apre Reveal interferometry software

US Salary Range

$166,000 - $220,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including:

Healthcare Benefits

• US Roles: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans at little to no cost to you.
• UK & AUS Roles: We cover full cost of medical insurance premiums for you and your dependents.
• IE Roles: We offer an annual contribution toward your private health insurance for you and your dependents.

Additional Benefits

• Income Protection : Anduril covers life and disability insurance for all employees.
• Generous time off : Highly competitive PTO plans with a holiday hiatus in December. Caregiver & Wellness Leave is available to care for family members, bond with a new baby, or address your own medical needs.
• Family Planning & Parenting Support: Coverage for fertility treatments (e.g., IVF, preservation), adoption, and gestational carriers, along with resources to support you and your partner from planning to parenting.
• Mental Health Resources: Access free mental health resources 24/7, including therapy and life coaching. Additional work-life services, such as legal and financial support, are also available.
• Professional Development: Annual reimbursement for professional development
• Commuter Benefits: Company-funded commuter benefits based on your region.
• Relocation Assistance: Available depending on role eligibility.

Retirement Savings Plan

• US Roles: Traditional 401(k), Roth, and after-tax (mega backdoor Roth) options.
• UK & IE Roles: Pension plan with employer match.
• AUS Roles: Superannuation plan.

The recruiter assigned to this role can share more information about the specific compensation and benefit details associated with this role during the hiring process.

To view Anduril's candidate data privacy policy, please visit https://anduril.com/applicant-privacy-notice/ .

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