Principal Optical Systems Engineer

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 Principal 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 world

Responsibilities: 

• 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. 
• 8 + 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 processes

Preferred 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, w