{"id":2474541,"url":"https://alion.io/job/usu-optical-alignment-engineer-space-dynamics-laboratory","title":"Optical Alignment Engineer - Space Dynamics Laboratory","company":{"id":93990,"name":"USU","domain":"usu.edu","url":"https://alion.io/company/usu","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"JazzHR","truth_index":null},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["North Logan, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":124000,"max":165000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":165000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"SDL","optional":false},{"name":"C","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-13T20:55:26Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-13","last_verified_at":"2026-10-15T15:08:02Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"Job ID: 9552\nDate Posted: September 23, 2026\nSpace Dynamics Laboratory’s (SDL) Civil & Commercial Space Division is seeking a mid-level Optical Alignment Engineer to join our engineering team in the development of space sensor systems operating in the ultra-violet to far-infrared. The selected candidate should have a broad understanding of the design, development, test, and fielding of complex space electro-optical systems.\nThe Civil & Commercial Space Division is at the forefront of scientific research and space exploration. We equip major Government and commercial missions with calibrated state-of-the-art sensors and satellites. We also provide world-class AI&T technologies and mission management. Our projects include challenges across planetary science, Earth observation, heliophysics, and astrophysics. Be part of a team that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in space and contributes to monumental scientific discoveries.\nKey Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:\nMentors optical engineers in alignment methods, error budgets, and error analysis and tools\nConducts trade studies and engineering analyses of optical alignment \nSupports optical design with alignment and manufacturing error budgeting methods\nPerforms optical alignment of UV/EO/IR imaging and non-imaging systems including all optical elements (mirrors, lenses, filters, gratings, baffles, stops, and detectors)\nPerforms optical testing including WFE, line of site alignment, point spread function, focus, vignetting\nWrites optical integration plans/procedures\nSupports system level planning, testing, and verification/calibration\nVendor sub-contract management including lens and mirror fabrication and optical coatings\nInvestigates and advises on the feasibility of new projects\nWorks closely with other engineers encompassing a broad range of disciplines (mechanical, electrical, systems, contamination, calibration, quality)\nIdentifies and recommends new alignment methods, tools, and appropriate training to increase SDL’s capabilities\nMay take a leadership role in design reviews and larger proposal efforts\n Required Qualifications:Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security clearance\nBachelor’s or advanced degree in an appropriate field (e.g., optical sciences, optical engineering, optomechanical engineering, engineering physics, applied physics)\n10+ years relevant full-time work experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 8+ years with a master’s degree, or 4+ years with a PhD\nSubject matter expert in optical alignment and optical alignment tools and methods\nExperience performing optical alignment of UV/EO/IR imaging or non-imaging systems including all optical elements (mirrors, lenses, filters, gratings, baffles, stops, and detectors)\nExperience with optical image quality test methods including WFE, line of site alignment, point spread function, focus, vignetting\nExperience writing optical alignment plans/procedures\nExperience with optical alignment and metrology equipment such as interferometers, computer generated holograms (CGHs), laser trackers, theodolites, etc.\nKnowledge of thermal, mechanical, and space environment effects of optical system\nA track record of successful collaborations with teams of engineers\nStrong verbal and written communication skills with proven experience giving technical presentations\nDemonstrated proficiency communicating clearly with personnel of varying technical and professional backgrounds\nStrong technical problem-solving and analytical skills\nWillingness to support occasional travel to support programs\nAbility to effectively work both individually and within a team environment\nDemonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities\nAbility to lead small teams to complete projects or proposal efforts\nAbility to provide leadership and mentoring to junior engineers\nPreferred Qualifications:5+ years of experience in electro-optical system design and analysis\nExperience managing vendor sub-contracts including lens/mirror fabrication and optical coatings\nExperience with design, analysis, and calibration of optical instruments\nExperience with CMMs, gauges, micrometers, and other mechanical inspection tools\nExperience using Zemax, CODE V, FRED, or other optical design software\nExperience with opto-mechanical adhesive bonding techniques\nExperience with the following:Space optical systems\nOptical component tolerancing, specifying, and external vendor fabrication management\nWriting technical reports, presentations, plans, and procedures\nWorking closely with customers\nLeading small technical teams\n\n*Salary Range\n$124,000 - $165,000Salary commensurate based on education and experience\n\nThis range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all US locations. Specific salary details for a candidate’s preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process.\nWhy join SDL?\n*SDL offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Visit our Benefits Page to learn more about what we offer.\nSDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Our expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. Join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.\nAt SDL, we strive to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. We listen with open minds, seek to understand diverse perspectives, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We work together by sharing knowledge, involving others, and offering support. We trust and empower our team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. Above all, we deliver on our commitments to each other and to our mission partners.\nThe application window for this position is expected to remain open for approximately 7 days; however, it may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly.\nFor questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact .","description_format":"text","description_chars":6657,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Education","Energy & Utilities","Higher Education"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-13T20:55:26Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":90,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.903,"p_room":1,"age_days":1,"expected_fill_days":36,"reasons":["conf:4","velocity","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-15T05:46:00Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":165000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/usu-optical-alignment-engineer-space-dynamics-laboratory","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/usu-optical-alignment-engineer-space-dynamics-laboratory.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-15T16:48:35Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":25442,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-16T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":93990},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=93990"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fusu-optical-alignment-engineer-space-dynamics-laboratory"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fusu-optical-alignment-engineer-space-dynamics-laboratory"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fusu-optical-alignment-engineer-space-dynamics-laboratory"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/usu-optical-alignment-engineer-space-dynamics-laboratory\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fusu-optical-alignment-engineer-space-dynamics-laboratory"}]}