Pointing and Tracking Optomechanical Engineer

Azora, Inc. is seeking an optomechanical engineer to own the productization of compact pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) subsystems used in modular optical ground stations and space terminals. The role spans mechanical design, analysis, and field validation to achieve microradian-class pointing stability across varying weather and platform conditions.

Role Overview

You will guide the transition of fine-steering and coarse-pointing systems from commercial prototypes through field qualification. The work focuses on delivering microradian-class stability while meeting optical performance targets through structural, thermal, and structural-thermal-optical performance verification.

Key Responsibilities

• Own productization of compact pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) optomechanical subsystems for Azora modular optical ground stations and space terminals.
• Guide fine-steering and coarse-pointing systems from commercial prototype through field qualification, ensuring microradian-class stability under changing weather and across platform conditions.
• Design optomechanical assemblies for beam steering, including gimbals, fast-steering mirrors (FSMs), telescope mounts, relay optics, and fiber-coupling stages.
• Perform structural, thermal, and STOP (structural-thermal-optical performance) analysis to verify line-of-sight stability and wavefront error budgets.
• Develop pointing error budgets covering base motion, jitter, thermal drift, and control-loop residuals, then flow requirements down to component-level specifications.
• Design, select, and qualify actuators, encoders, bearings, and flexures for ground and space operating environments.
• Lead alignment, integration, and field testing of optical assemblies.
• Support acquisition and tracking field campaigns at ground station sites, including troubleshooting under real atmospheric conditions.
• Collaborate with software, electrical, and network engineers to connect lab-based mechanical design to autonomous optical communications with space assets.

Required Qualifications

• BSc or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of optomechanical design experience for precision optical systems (laser communications, telescopes, directed energy, or similar).
• Proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks, NX, Creo, or similar) and FEA tools (ANSYS, Nastran, or similar).
• Hands-on experience aligning and testing optical assemblies in a lab environment.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and precision machining practices.

Tools and Technologies

• SolidWorks
• NX
• Creo
• ANSYS
• Nastran
• Zemax/OpticStudio
• CODE V

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with fast-steering mirrors, gimbal design, or telescope pointing systems.
• Familiarity with STOP analysis workflows and optical design tools (Zemax/OpticStudio, CODE V).
• Experience qualifying hardware for launch and on-orbit environments (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum).
• Field experience with optical ground stations or astronomical instrumentation.

Compensation

USD 140,000 - 180,000 per year. Final salary is based on geographic location, experience, skills, and qualifications.

Location and Work Style

Phoenix, AZ 85040 (hybrid). This role is onsite/hybrid in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA, with hardware work that is difficult to do remotely. Some travel is expected for field deployment and vendor or manufacturing visits. Hybrid remote in Phoenix, AZ 85040 is also indicated.

Benefits

• Generous equity
• Competitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)
• 401(k)
• Unlimited PTO
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Equal Opportunity and Accommodations

Azora is an equal opportunity employer. If you need a reasonable accommodation as part of the application or interview process, contact [email protected].

Export Control

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident, (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

About Azora

Azora is building high-bandwidth communications infrastructure for environments where fiber cannot reach. The work spans LEO spacecraft constellations, lunar exploration missions, GEO satcom, deployable optical ground for defense, and data centers both on- and off-world. Azora is developing compact, modular optical terminals small enough to deploy from a backpack, and space terminals supporting high-speed optical links from LEO to the Moon.