Optical Payload Engineer

is a leading weather intelligence and climate resilience platform helping organizations and governments make better decisions in a world of increasing weather volatility. By combining proprietary satellite technology advanced AI forecasting models and actionable analytics delivers hyper-local weather insights that protect lives strengthen operations and build climate resilience globally.

Our space program is core to this mission. We are building and operating a weather observation constellation powered by next generation sensing technologies - transforming how atmospheric data is captured and used worldwide.

is seeking an Optical Payload Engineer to support the development integration and verification of electro-optical and infrared payloads for our weather observation constellation.

In this role you will work at the intersection of optical engineering imaging systems spacecraft engineering and atmospheric science. You will help translate mission and scientific objectives into instrument requirements support payload performance analysis and verification and contribute throughout integration test launch and operations.

This is an ideal opportunity for an engineer with strong EO/IR and imaging fundamentals practical experience with optical or electro-optical hardware and the potential to take increasing ownership of complex space payloads and mission performance.

• Support the development integration verification and performance assessment of optical payload systems for weather observations.
• Translate mission and scientific data needs into payload requirements interfaces performance budgets and verification plans in collaboration with senior engineers and atmospheric scientists.
• Support optical and imaging performance analyses including radiometry signal-to-noise ratio image-quality budgets detector performance and MTF.
• Support the design characterization and validation of imaging sensors optical payload subsystems detectors and electro-optical hardware.
• Evaluate payload performance drivers including aperture focal length detector pitch stray light thermal gradients structural stability jitter and spacecraft interfaces.
• Support radiometric calibration and characterization activities to ensure payload performance and data quality meet mission objectives.
• Assess thermal structural and environmental effects on optical alignment and image quality.
• Demonstrate understanding of payload integration and test activities including optical alignment calibration environmental testing and test-data analysis.
• Work across payload spacecraft software systems and science teams to identify technical risks and resolve integration and performance issues.
• Establish and maintain clear technical requirements interfaces verification documentation test results and engineering analyses.
• Support payload activities throughout the lifecycle from design and integration through launch commissioning and on-orbit operations.

• 4-7 years of hands-on engineering experience developing integrating testing or operating EO/IR imaging optical payload airborne sensing or comparable electro-optical systems.
• Strong fundamentals in imaging system performance including detector behavior radiometry signal-to-noise ratio MTF and image-quality concepts.
• Experience with one or more of the following: imaging sensors detectors optical assemblies electro-optical hardware focal plane systems or optical payload subsystems.
• Working knowledge of optical performance characterization calibration and validation.
• Understanding of image-quality and noise contributors including detector noise stray light thermal effects structural stability and jitter.
• Familiarity with performing or reviewing SNR calculations and image-quality or performance budgets.
• Awareness of key imaging-system trade-offs involving aperture focal length detector pitch sensitivity performance cost and schedule.
• Experience supporting complex hardware/software integration and test activities.
• Exposure to optical alignment radiometric calibration environmental testing or analysis of payload test data is highly valuable.
• Familiarity with environmental qualification concepts for spacecraft aerospace or similarly demanding engineered systems.
• Awareness of spacecraft-level considerations including thermal distortion radiation effects on detectors and electronics structural stability vibration jitter and platform-generated disturbances.
• Ability to translate technical and mission-performance goals into clear requirements interfaces test approaches and verification plans.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills particularly when working across engineering and scientific disciplines.
• A proactive and accountable approach to engineering work with the ability to organize technical activities identify issues and drive them toward resolution.
• Sound engineering judgment and a willingness to learn take on increasing ownership and grow your technical depth.

Joining as an Optical Payload Engineer means:

• Make a measurable global impact help develop space-based sensing technologies that improve weather forecasting and resilience worldwide.
• Work on real space hardware contribute directly to optical payload development integration testing launch and on-orbit performance.
• Solve multidisciplinary engineering problems work across optics imaging systems spacecraft engineering atmospheric science and mission operations.
• Grow your technical ownership work alongside experienced engineers and scientists while taking increasing responsibility for payload performance and mission execution.
• Build with mission-driven teams join an environment that values technical rigor accountability collaboration and thoughtful execution.

If your experience is close but doesnt fulfill all requirements please apply. is on a mission to build a special company. To achieve our goal we are focused on hiring people with different backgrounds perspectives and experiences.

This position requires access to technology that is controlled under U.S. export control laws and regulations. Accordingly this position is restricted to U.S. citizens permanent residents and protected individuals unless and until any required licenses are obtained.

is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race religion color national origin sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression transgender status sexual stereotypes age status as a protected veteran status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics. participates in the E-Verify program in all US states as required by law.

At we have established a workplace culture that values fairness and equal opportunities and we believe it is crucial for fostering a positive and productive environment. Regularly reviewing and adjusting pay practices to align with legitimate drivers of pay such as job level geographic location and performance demonstrates a commitment to maintaining equity within the organization. This commitment to ongoing assessment and improvement is key to creating a workplace that is not only diverse and inclusive but also fair and just. The anticipated salary range for this role is $150-180k subject to local market and candidates skills and experience. Comprehensive health benefits unlimited paid time off and other benefits included. Relocation assistance may be offered/available for certain roles.

is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability please let us know at

About :

Selected by TIME Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Companies in the World is the worlds leading Resilience Platform. Combining next-generation space technology advanced generative AI and proprietary weather modeling delivers unmatched forecasting and decision-making capabilities. Trusted by six of the top ten Fortune 500 companies empowers organizations to proactively manage weather-related risks opportunities and enhance operational efficiency. From cutting-edge weather intelligence to real-time early warning systems enables predictive impact-based action for a safer more resilient future. Learn more at .

Ethos: Our ethos guides us in everything we do - The people of Tomorrow are here to make an impact they show true grit and always put people first.

How we roll: We believe that magic happens when people work together. The People of Tomorrow take ownership with a bias for action. We believe in transparency and directness putting work before ego and empathy. The People of Tomorrow have a can-do attitude are resilient and curious. They are growth oriented value people striving to be experts and love to have fun. Here your success is achieved by your impact and deliveries and not by the hours you put in. We have flexible hours and unlimited vacation days policy. The People of Tomorrow show empathy mutual respect and work as one diverse team. We grow fast and move faster but we always see people first. Each person has their own career growth path for we believe that the only way for the company to grow is if you grow.