Optical Systems Engineer

Company: Maxar Technologies
Location: Westminster
Posted on: April 30, 2025

Job Description:

Please review the job details below. Maxar Intelligence is a provider of secure, precise, geospatial intelligence. We deliver disruptive value to government and commercial customers to help them monitor, understand, and navigate our changing planet. Our unique approach combines decades of deep mission understanding and a proven commercial and defense foundation to deploy solutions and deliver insights with unrivaled speed, scale, and cost effectiveness. We are hiring immediately for an Optical Systems Engineer to join our team in Westminster, CO.Day In The Life: Working on Maxar's Space System Engineering team you will have the opportunity shape the future of commercial Earth imaging. You and your teammates will build the next big thing in commercial remote sensing with an industry-leading team that exemplifies technical depth, breadth, precision, and innovation. -You will define and deliver on a vision for the next-generation of on-orbit technologies that will extend the capabilities of our industry-leading Earth imaging constellation.Each day as a system engineer on our team faces new challenges and works toward breakthroughs. You might start by tackling a unique technical hurdle, or collaborating closely with mission and payload experts to find solutions that push the boundaries of space engineering. After solving intricate problems, you'll jump into a brainstorming session, surrounded by passionate engineers who share your drive for innovation. Later, you might guide a cross-disciplinary team, leading efforts to refine a complex system that will soon orbit Earth. The pace is fast, but our culture is supportive, valuing both autonomy and team wins. Here, you have the authority to make a real impact, the flexibility to explore new ideas, and the chance to build something meaningful in space that transforms how we see our worldResponsibilities:

• Provide technical support during the development of electro-optical instruments for Maxar Intelligence's imaging satellites.
• Perform analyses to support internal system and mission trades (e.g. aperture, altitude, spectral bandpass, mass, volume, power).
• Review contractor design implementation and verification ensuring systems meet Maxar Intelligence specifications.
• Evaluate the performance of optical designs through simulations and calculations, considering factors like field of view, aberrations, diffraction, and image quality metrics.
• Provide support to the Satellite Operations group for commissioning activities (e.g. On-orbit data analysis and image quality assessment, calibration). Minimum Requirements:
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen and be willing and able to obtain a U.S. security clearance at the TS/SCI level
  • BS or higher degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
  • 7+ years in systems engineering, optics and/or opto-mechanical design and analysis.
  • Skilled in image quality metrics, including MTF, SNR and other quantitative assessments of image quality.
  • Demonstrated experience working in focal plane technologies
  • Previous experience in optical design, specification, and analysis software including spectral filters and coatings.
  • Experience in MATLAB, Python, IDL, ENVI or other high-level interactive processing environment for analysis of optical sensitivities.
  • Skilled in electro-optical testing and analysis approaches including interpretation of the results.
  • Knowledge of optical alignment, fabrication, and manufacturing assembly and test processesPreferred Qualifications:
    • MS or higher degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
    • Experience with space based Electro-Optical sensors
    • Expertise in optical remote sensing systems covering spectral sensitivity, resolution optimization, stray light, and radiometric calibration and validation.
    • Knowledge of opto-mechanical design, and performance, including stabilization, pointing, and tracking
    • Familiar with thermal-elastic performance of optical systems
    • Strength in the National Imagery Interpretation Rating Scale (NIIRS) or other image quality evaluation
    • Basic understanding of orbital mechanics
    • Knowledge of space environments and mitigation techniques
    • Basic knowledge of optical processing techniques
    • Active TS/SCI clearance. Life with Us: There is a reason we boast awards like Best Employer, Best Place to Work, Top Employer, and Candidate Experience Winner. Our strength is in our people. Each team member makes a unique contribution to our collective mission. So, we recognize that with best-in-class benefits like:
      • 401K matching and immediate vesting schedule
      • Career growth opportunities
      • Family-friendly benefits like maternity and paternity leave, adoption reimbursement, flexible hours, hybrid work options
      • Programs to help you grow, like tuition reimbursement, hackathons, and career development
      • Student loan repayment
      • Generous time off
      • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision at affordable monthly rates In support of pay transparency at Maxar, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range. The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $87,000.00 - $145,000.00 annually. For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. You can find more information on our benefits at: The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. The date of posting can be found on Maxar's Career page at the top of each job posting.To apply, submit your application via Maxar's Career page.Maxar Technologies values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Keywords: Maxar Technologies, Westminster , Optical Systems Engineer, Other , Westminster, Colorado