Senior Mechanical & Controls Engineer

Company

Diffraqtion is developing the Quantum Vision System, a device that replaces a conventional camera and edge AI processor by computing at the speed of light. We are a small team founded by MIT and Harvard scientists with deep roots in AI, optics, and quantum sensing, and backed by DARPA, NASA, and leading venture investors. We are delivering orders-of-magnitude improvements in visual sensing, processing speed, and energy efficiency for machines and satellites that need to see and think at the edge.

About This Role

We are looking for a Senior Mechanical & Controls Engineer to support integration of opto-mechanical systems into ground-based and space-based camera systems. You will own pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) hardware and controls, taking concepts from prototype through flight qualification and operation.

You bring deep, hand-on control systems expertise and a track record of shipping precision pointing systems for ground or space environments. This is a chance to lead the mechanical side of a first-of-its-kind system headed to orbit.

NOTE: This position requires access to technical data subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants who are not U.S. persons may need an export license or other U.S. government authorization before receiving that access.

Responsibilities

• Own the productization of pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) opto-mechanical subsystems, guiding coarse-pointing and fine-steering systems from prototype through field and flight qualification.

• Design opto-mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies for pointing and beam steering, including gimbals, fast steering mirrors (FSMs), telescope mounts and adapters, relay optics, focus and tip/tilt mechanisms, and fiber-coupling stages.

• Lead the mechanical integration of Diffraqtion's opto-mechanical payloads into ground-based and space-based systems, defining and owning mechanical interface control documents (ICDs).

• Architect, model, and tune control systems including servo loop design (PID, lead/lag, state-space), feedforward, and disturbance rejection.

• Develop pointing and line-of-sight error budgets covering base motion, jitter, thermal drift, and control-loop residuals, and flow them down to component requirements.

• Perform structural, thermal, modal, and structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP) analysis to verify line-of-sight stability and wavefront error budgets for observatory environments (wind, temperature, seismic) and launch and on-orbit environments.

• Select and specify space-qualified materials and processes to meet NASA/ASTM E595 requirements, and maintain the program's materials and processes (M&P) list and contamination control approach.

• Work with spacecraft GNC/ADCS teams to integrate the payload with attitude determination and control, including star trackers, gyros and IMUs, reaction wheels, and payload-based fine guidance.

• Apply design for manufacturing and assembly (DFM/DFA) throughout to produce drawings with GD&T, run tolerance stack-ups, and work with machine shops, suppliers, and contract manufacturers to transition designs to repeatable production.

• Lead hands-on alignment, integration, test, and environmental qualification (thermal, thermal vacuum, vibration, and shock) of optical assemblies, and correlate results to models.

• Lead acquisition and tracking field campaigns at telescope and ground station sites, including on-sky verification and troubleshooting under real atmospheric conditions.

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers and co-ops, and produce clear design documentation, test reports, and progress updates for stakeholders.

Qualification

• B.S. in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical or Optical Engineering; M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Controls Engineering preferred.

• 8+ years of opto-mechanical, precision mechanical, or pointing control system design experience for optical systems (e.g., telescopes, laser communications, directed energy, remote sensing, or similar), including at least 3 years integrating optical instruments into telescopes, imaging systems, or spacecraft.

• Proven track record taking precision pointing or opto-mechanical hardware from prototype to fielded or flown product, for ground-based or space-based systems.

• Expert-level knowledge of control systems: classical and modern control theory, plant modeling, system identification, loop shaping, and stability analysis, applied to real electro-mechanical hardware.

• Hands-on experience designing and fielding precision pointing, tracking, or motion control systems (e.g., telescope mounts, gimbals, fast steering mirrors, or precision stages).

• Demonstrated expertise in design for space and harsh environments, including athermal design for alignment stability over temperature and vibration-tolerant design for launch loads.

• Working knowledge of space materials and processes, including selection of low-outgassing materials per ASTM E595 and contamination control for optical systems.

• Practical DFM/DFA experience: GD&T per ASME Y14.5, tolerance analysis, precision machining, finishing, and coating processes, and working directly with machine shops and suppliers.

• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, NX, or Creo) and FEA tools (ANSYS, NASTRAN/Femap, or Abaqus) for structural, modal, and thermal analysis.

• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink (or equivalent) for control design and simulation, and in Python for data analysis and test automation.

• Hands-on experience aligning, integrating, and testing optical assemblies in the lab and in the field.

• Willingness to travel to telescope sites, ground stations, test facilities, and suppliers as needed.

• Clear technical communication with diverse audiences, and the ability to lead across a small, cross-functional team.

Nice to Have (not required)

• Direct experience in guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) or attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) for spacecraft or airborne platforms.

• Experience with image-based fine guidance and closed-loop tip/tilt or adaptive optics.

• STOP analysis and integrated modeling workflows, and familiarity with optical design tools (Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V).

• Flight hardware heritage, including qualification for launch and on-orbit environments (vibration, shock, thermal vacuum) and standards such as NASA GSFC-STD-7000 (GEVS).

• Field experience with optical ground stations, laser communication terminals, or astronomical instrumentation.

• Familiarity with vibration isolation, micro-vibration analysis, and disturbance sources such as reaction wheels, cryocoolers, and wind loading.

• Experience with cryogenic or vacuum systems.

• Familiarity with real-time embedded control platforms and FPGA-based controllers.

Benefits

• Company equity options

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Company 401K match

• Company discounts

• Unlimited PTO

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Diffraqtion is committed to fostering an inclusive and meritocratic workplace. We provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Diffraqtion is committed to equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may contact [email protected].

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.