Optical Engineer – Lasers & Photonics

About the role

Cowboy Space Corp. is seeking an Optical Engineer specialized in lasers and photonics to develop the next‑generation communication backbone for its orbital data centers. The role combines hands‑on work with high‑power fiber laser systems and integration of fiber‑optic components for space‑based platforms.

Key responsibilities

• Design and develop high‑power fiber laser and amplifier systems for space applications.
• Characterize laser sources (linewidth, phase noise, RIN, spectral purity).
• Select, integrate, and qualify fiber‑optic components and subsystems for space deployment.
• Perform fiber splicing, assemble fiber‑optic sub‑assemblies, and supervise related processes.
• Model and measure fiber non‑linearity effects such as SBS and SPM.
• Design and align coherent fiber‑optic receivers.
• Create and execute test plans for optical performance verification (BER, eye diagrams, spectral measurements).
• Produce design specifications, assembly procedures, and test reports.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of hands‑on experience with fiber‑optic systems, including splicing and component integration.
• Experience with rare‑earth‑doped fiber amplifiers and familiarity with optical communications modulation formats.
• Proficiency operating OSAs, power meters, polarimeters, and high‑speed oscilloscopes.
• Preferred: Master’s/PhD, 5 + years in laser communications, defense or aerospace photonics, and experience with MOPA amplifier chains, interferometric receivers, free‑space optics, or LEO inter‑satellite links.

Required skills

• Fiber lasers
• Fiber‑optic splicing
• Rare‑earth‑doped fiber amplifiers
• Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA)
• Power meters
• Polarimeters
• High‑speed oscilloscopes
• MOPA fiber amplifier chains
• Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS)
• Self‑Phase Modulation (SPM)
• Interferometric optical receivers
• Coherent detection techniques
• Free‑space optical communications
• LEO inter‑satellite links