Opto-Mechanical Engineer Jobs
Opto-Mechanical Engineer jobs are open across defense, aerospace, semiconductor, and medical device companies, with specializations in optical system design, precision mounting, and thermal analysis, from new-grad to senior and principal levels. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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We are seeking a highly motivated Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer to support the design, analysis, integration, and testing of precision optical systems for satellite-based imaging platforms. This role focuses on the development of rugged, lightweight, thermally stable opto-mechanical assemblies capable of surviving launch environments and operating reliably in space. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with a deep understanding of optical system performance and environmental constraints unique to aerospace applications.
Key Responsibilities
- Design precision opto-mechanical assemblies for space-based telescopes, including mirrors, mounts, structures, and alignment mechanisms
- Develop lightweight, thermally stable structures optimized for launch loads and on-orbit performance
- Perform tolerance analyses to ensure optical performance under thermal, mechanical, and dynamic environments
- Conduct structural, thermal, and vibration analyses using FEA tools
- Support optical alignment strategy development and error budgeting in collaboration with optical engineers
- Select materials compatible with space environments (CTE matching, outgassing, radiation, cryogenic performance, etc.)
- Generate detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and documentation in accordance with aerospace standards
- Support prototype builds, environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum), and performance validation
- Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and interface directly with customers and program teams
- Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, manufacturing, quality, and systems engineering teams
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in opto-mechanical design (space or aerospace preferred)
- Strong understanding of structural mechanics, thermal analysis, and precision mechanical design
- Experience designing for launch environments (random vibration, shock, static loads)
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar)
- Experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent)
- Familiarity with optical system fundamentals and alignment sensitivity
- Experience with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Knowledge of aerospace materials and space qualification standards
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience designing hardware for satellite telescopes or space imaging systems
- Experience with lightweight mirror mounts, flexures, kinematic designs, and athermalization strategies
- Familiarity with silicon carbide or other advanced space-qualified optical materials
- Experience supporting thermal vacuum and vibration testing
- Understanding of stray light control and baffle design
- Active or ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance
Key Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Attention to precision and detail in high-performance systems
- Ability to work in multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Self-directed and capable of managing multiple program priorities
Why Join Us
You will play a critical role in developing next-generation satellite imaging systems that demand extreme precision, stability, and reliability. This is an opportunity to work on mission-critical hardware deployed in challenging space environments where engineering excellence directly impacts performance.
We are seeking a highly motivated Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer to support the design, analysis, integration, and testing of precision optical systems for satellite-based imaging platforms. This role focuses on the development of rugged, lightweight, thermally stable opto-mechanical assemblies capable of surviving launch environments and operating reliably in space. The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical engineering fundamentals with a deep understanding of optical system performance and environmental constraints unique to aerospace applications.
Key Responsibilities
- Design precision opto-mechanical assemblies for space-based telescopes, including mirrors, mounts, structures, and alignment mechanisms
- Develop lightweight, thermally stable structures optimized for launch loads and on-orbit performance
- Perform tolerance analyses to ensure optical performance under thermal, mechanical, and dynamic environments
- Conduct structural, thermal, and vibration analyses using FEA tools
- Support optical alignment strategy development and error budgeting in collaboration with optical engineers
- Select materials compatible with space environments (CTE matching, outgassing, radiation, cryogenic performance, etc.)
- Generate detailed engineering drawings, specifications, and documentation in accordance with aerospace standards
- Support prototype builds, environmental testing (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum), and performance validation
- Participate in design reviews (PDR, CDR) and interface directly with customers and program teams
- Collaborate cross-functionally with optical, manufacturing, quality, and systems engineering teams
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in opto-mechanical design (space or aerospace preferred)
- Strong understanding of structural mechanics, thermal analysis, and precision mechanical design
- Experience designing for launch environments (random vibration, shock, static loads)
- Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or similar)
- Experience with FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN, or equivalent)
- Familiarity with optical system fundamentals and alignment sensitivity
- Experience with GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis
- Knowledge of aerospace materials and space qualification standards
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience designing hardware for satellite telescopes or space imaging systems
- Experience with lightweight mirror mounts, flexures, kinematic designs, and athermalization strategies
- Familiarity with silicon carbide or other advanced space-qualified optical materials
- Experience supporting thermal vacuum and vibration testing
- Understanding of stray light control and baffle design
- Active or ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance
Key Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Attention to precision and detail in high-performance systems
- Ability to work in multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Self-directed and capable of managing multiple program priorities
Why Join Us
You will play a critical role in developing next-generation satellite imaging systems that demand extreme precision, stability, and reliability. This is an opportunity to work on mission-critical hardware deployed in challenging space environments where engineering excellence directly impacts performance.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Technology & Software
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in Opto-Mechanical engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, optical, or aerospace engineering or a closely related field
- Proficiency in 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo for precision optical assembly design
- Experience with optical tolerancing, alignment budgets, and wavefront error analysis
- Familiarity with Zemax or similar optical design software for mechanical-optical interface work
- Knowledge of materials selection for thermal stability, vibration isolation, and cleanroom compatibility
- Experience supporting optical system integration, alignment, and verification testing in a lab environment
Tips for Your Opto-Mechanical Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to optical tolerancing
Hiring managers for opto-mechanical roles scan for specific analysis tools and methods. Call out your experience with tolerance stack-up, Zemax or CodeV integration, and thermal-optical-structural analysis directly in your work history, not buried in a skills list.
Highlight CAD work tied to optical performance
Generic CAD experience won't differentiate you. Name the software you used, the optical subassemblies you designed, and how your mechanical choices affected wavefront error or alignment margins. Reviewers want to see that you understand both sides of the interface.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists opto-mechanical engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by application domain
Defense, semiconductor lithography, and biomedical imaging each have distinct design constraints and clearance requirements. Search by domain so your application speaks to the specific environment, whether that is ruggedized field optics or cleanroom-compatible lens mounts.
Prepare a design walkthrough for interviews
Most opto-mechanical interviews include a detailed design review where you explain a past assembly, your material choices, and how you resolved alignment or stiffness conflicts. Have one project you can walk through end-to-end, including what failed early and how you corrected it.
Negotiate around clearance and lab access
If a role requires a security clearance you already hold, make that explicit in your negotiation, since sponsoring a new clearance costs employers time and money. Active clearances command a real premium, and you should factor that into any compensation discussion.
Opto-Mechanical Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most opto-mechanical engineers?
The most active employers for opto-mechanical engineers right now are KLA, Lockheed Martin, and BAE Systems USA, and the most openings are in California, Colorado, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Defense primes and photonics equipment manufacturers tend to post the highest volumes consistently.
How many opto-mechanical engineer jobs are remote?
About 63% of opto-mechanical engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the role depends on physical lab access and hardware integration. Systems design, documentation, and tolerance analysis work are the sub-areas most likely to allow remote or hybrid schedules.
How do you become an opto-mechanical engineer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in mechanical, optical, or aerospace engineering, then build hands-on experience with precision assembly and optical alignment through internships, lab coursework, or research projects. Develop proficiency in a major CAD package and at least one optical design tool. Entry roles often sit within a larger optical systems team, where you gain exposure to tolerancing and integration testing before taking on independent design work.
How do you get hired as an opto-mechanical engineer with little experience?
Focus your application on academic or personal projects where you designed, built, or aligned an optical assembly, even at small scale. Capstone projects involving beam-steering, sensor mounts, or spectrometer housings are directly relevant. Smaller photonics startups and university research labs hire junior candidates who can demonstrate hands-on assembly discipline and an understanding of how mechanical choices affect optical performance, so target those employers first.
What does the opto-mechanical engineer interview process look like?
Most processes start with a recruiter screen followed by a technical phone interview covering optical fundamentals and mechanical design principles. A design exercise or take-home problem, often involving tolerance analysis or a mount concept, is common at mid-stages. Final rounds typically include a panel interview with senior engineers and a detailed walkthrough of a past project, where interviewers probe your material choices, failure modes, and verification approach.
Where can I find and apply to opto-mechanical engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to opto-mechanical engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 80 Opto-Mechanical Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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