Staff Optomechanical Engineer

YOUR MISSION

True Anomaly is seeking an exceptional Staff Optomechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and integration of high-performance infrared optical systems for our spacecraft payloads. You will serve as a senior technical authority for optomechanical architecture across our EO and IR payload programs — developing designs that survive demanding thermal and dynamic environments while maintaining stringent optical performance requirements. Working closely with optical, thermal, electrical, and systems engineering teams from concept through qualification and production, you will define the standards and approaches the broader Payloads team builds upon. You bring deep expertise in athermalized optomechanical design, IR optical system integration, and structural-thermal-optical performance analysis, and the technical range to drive program-level outcomes across multiple concurrent payload development efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design and development of optomechanical assemblies for infrared telescope and sensor systems, including flexure and kinematic mounts, lens and mirror housings, and structural interfaces
• Develop athermalized optical designs to maintain alignment and performance across operational temperature ranges, applying material selection, bimetallic compensation, and CTE-matched adhesive bonding strategies
• Design and integrate active and passive cooling solutions for optical components, detectors, and windows, including cryocoolers, conductive and radiative cooling approaches
• Perform structural, thermal, and thermo-elastic analyses to predict optical performance under environmental loads including vibration, shock, and thermal gradients
• Collaborate with optical designers to translate lens prescriptions into manufacturable designs, supporting line-of-sight error budgeting and end-to-end tolerance stack-up analysis
• Support and lead optical alignment and metrology activities for optical assemblies, including interferometric, autocollimation, and CMM-based alignment techniques
• Evaluate and implement vibration isolation solutions to protect sensitive optical assemblies from launch and operational disturbance environments
• Define and maintain optomechanical design standards and best practices across the Payloads team, codifying reusable approaches that elevate the organization's collective capability
• Generate detailed CAD models, drawings, and specifications for procurement and fabrication; work with suppliers to source optical components, coatings, and specialized hardware
• Document design decisions, trade studies, and analysis results, and present findings at design reviews (PDR/CDR) and program milestones

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)
• 8+ years of professional experience in optomechanical design, with direct experience on infrared optical or sensor systems
• Demonstrated expertise in flexure and kinematic mount design and athermalized optomechanical design techniques
• Experience with structural and thermal analysis tools (ANSYS, NX Nastran, Thermal Desktop, or similar)
• Proficiency with 3D CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar) and strong GD&T and tolerance stack-up skills
• Familiarity with optical alignment and metrology techniques and optical component specifications and fabrication processes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrated ability to perform Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) analysis and apply results to drive design decisions
• Skilled in line-of-sight error budgeting for precision pointing and tracking applications
• Proficient in CTE-matched adhesive bonding and potting techniques for optical mount applications
• Able to design and characterize vibration isolation systems for sensitive optical assemblies
• Capable of designing complete optical trains including telescopes, relay optics, and IR lens systems from first principles
• Practiced in stray light analysis and mitigation including baffle design and ghost analysis
• Proficient with optical modeling software (Zemax/OpticStudio, CODE V, FRED, ASAP, or similar)
• Familiar with IR-transmissive materials (sapphire, germanium, ZnSe, etc.) and their thermal and mechanical properties
• Versed in vacuum-compatible design practices including outgassing and contamination control
• Prior background in missile defense, space systems, or other high-reliability aerospace programs
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary:  $185,000 - $285,000

• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach. 
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #LI-Onsite