Senior Optical Engineer - Design & Architecture, 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 a Senior Optical Engineer to design a new product lines for spaceborne systems. In this role, you will work closely with an interdisciplinary technical team to define optical architectures, complete the optical design and analysis, build prototypes leading to ground and flight testing, and mature the prototypes into products.

Successful candidates will have experience designing and delivering environmentally rugged optical systems.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead architecture decisions, optical trades for novel optical systems for broadly defined missions

• Design lenses and optical components for high performance imaging systems

• Understand and define optical performance requirements given multi-disciplinary engineering constraints

• Design and tolerance complex visible to infrared optical systems to meet performance requirements for ground & airborne applications

• 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

• Work independently and collaborate with senior staff and leadership to solve interdisciplinary technical problems by serving as the Optical Engineering subject matter expert

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BS in Engineering required with a concentration in Optics

• MS or PhD preferred, but not required

• 7+ years of experience with complex opto-mechanical systems, performing optical system design, analysis, alignment and test in the workforce

• Expertise with optical design and analysis software, preferably Zemax

• Experience with STOP (Structural, Thermal, and Optical Performance) analysis

• Knowledge of image quality metrics and data analysis methods

• Experience with the design of diffraction limited imaging systems in dynamic environments

• Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated first principles approach to complex opto-mechanical problems

• Optical component testing experience (spectral transmission, interferometry, etc.), optical system alignment and testing (EE, MTF, PSF, etc.), and opto-electrical system modeling

• Demonstrated experience in the integration, test, and performance requirements verification and validation of optical systems

• Experience with radiometry and stray light analysis

• Demonstrated team leadership experience and mentoring of junior staff

• Knowledge of common materials used in optical systems and limitations of fabrication methods of optics (molded, polished, diamond turned) as well as micro structures

US Salary Range
$190,000—$252,000 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.

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