Optical Engineer, Lasers and Photonics at Cowboyspace — San Carlos, CA

About Cowboy Space Corp.

About the Role

The Lasers & Optics team is looking for a Laser & Photonics Engineer to design and build the next generation communication backbone to our orbital datacenters. This role requires hands-on experience with fiber laser systems and a strong foundation in fiber-optic component integration and characterization. You will work closely with optical, electrical, and systems engineers to bring up and verify the end-to-end communications link.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop high-power fiber laser and amplifier systems for space-based applications.
• Characterize laser sources including linewidth, phase noise, RIN, and spectral purity.
• Select, integrate, and qualify fiber-optic components and subsystems for integration into a space-based platform.
• Perform and supervise fiber splicing and assembly of fiber-optic subassemblies.
• Model and measure fiber nonlinearity effects including SBS and SPM.
• Design and align coherent fiber-optic receivers.
• Develop and execute test plans for optical performance verification including BER, eye diagrams, and spectral measurements.
• Generate design specifications, assembly procedures, and test reports.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or 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.
• Familiarity with fiber-optic communications modulation formats.
• Experience operating OSAs, power meters, polarimeters, and high-speed oscilloscopes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience building and characterizing MOPA fiber amplifier chains.
• Familiarity with SBS, SPM, and other nonlinearity effects in high-power fiber systems.
• Experience with interferometric optical receivers or coherent detection front-ends.
• 5+ years of experience in a laser communications, defense, or aerospace photonics role.
• Experience with free-space optical communications or LEO inter-satellite links.
• Experience with environmental validation of space-based laser systems (thermal-vacuum, vibration, radiation).
• Experience with Class 4 laser lab environments.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $200,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.

• Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
• Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid time off
• 10 paid holidays per calendar year
• Paid parental leave
• Relocation assistance if applicable
• Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements:

• Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

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