Opto Mechanical Engineer
Matter Intelligence · El Segundo
About Matter Intelligence
Welcome to Matter, where we are building the future of vision AI: pairing a world-first sensor that sees molecular chemistry, temperature, and 3D shape with a Large World Model that will be the most powerful intelligence engine for the physical world. This system doesn't just see what something looks like; it understands everything from a single pixel. We call this Superintelligent Vision.
Our team has delivered technologies to Mars for NASA/JPL, designed advanced sensors for U.S. Defense, and frontier artificial intelligence systems. We are now building the next generation of space- and airborne-based sensing systems.
About the Role
We are seeking an Optomechanical Engineer to contribute to the design, analysis, integration, and qualification of high-performance optical payloads for space and airborne platforms. This role owns the optomechanical architecture and manufacturing readiness of Matter’s imaging systems from early concept through flight hardware.
You will champion optomechanical design across multiple programs, ensuring optical performance is preserved through structural, thermal, and dynamic environments (STOP). You will work closely with optical engineering, systems engineering, thermal, structures, and manufacturing partners, and will be hands-on with flight and test hardware.
Key Responsibilities
Optomechanical Architecture & Design
Lead the optomechanical design of precision optical assemblies, subsystems, and payloads for space-qualified remote-sensing systems.
Define mechanical architectures for optical mounts, structures, mechanisms, and interfaces that preserve alignment and performance through launch and on-orbit conditions.
Translate optical sensitivities and requirements into mechanical, thermal, and manufacturing requirements; decompose system requirements into optical and mechanical requirements, generate error trees, budgets, and allocations across wavefront, spectral, and mechanical parameters, and derive component specifications, drawings, and statements of work.
Drive concept development, detailed design, and design maturity through all review gates.
STOP Analysis & Performance Assurance
Own optomechanical performance across Structural, Thermal, and Optical Performance (STOP) domains.
Perform and review tolerance analyses, GD&T, structural FEA, thermal and thermo-elastic analyses.
Collaborate with optical engineers to support optical modeling and error budgets using Zemax, Speos, MATLAB, or equivalent analysis tools.
Ensure designs meet stiffness, strength, thermal stability, and survivability requirements.
Integration, Alignment & Test
Define alignment strategies, optical test equipment, tooling, fixtures, procedures, and assembly and test plans for precision optical systems.
Lead optomechanical integration, bonding, assembly, and alignment of flight and test hardware, including hands-on work in cleanroom or contamination-controlled environments as required.
Support optical metrology, calibration, test, characterization, and performance verification, including verification of as-built optical designs and test configurations.
Support environmental testing including vibration, shock, and thermal-vacuum; drive anomaly resolution and root-cause analysis.
Manufacturing & Documentation
Design for manufacturability, assembly, and test (DFM/DFA) while maintaining optical performance.
Manage procurement of optical components and subsystems, vendor fabrication, inspection requirements, and technical vendor relationships.
Produce and maintain detailed CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and assembly/test procedures.
Support transition from prototype to low- and mid-rate production as needed.
Technical Leadership
Serve as the optomechanical technical lead for payload hardware.
Lead technical reviews and present designs to internal and external stakeholders.
Identify technical risks early and drive mitigation strategies.
Mentor junior engineers and help establish best practices in optomechanical design and integration.
Partner with program management to balance performance, schedule, and cost.
What Success Looks Like
Optomechanical designs that meet performance requirements through launch and on-orbit environments.
Stable, repeatable optical alignment with well-understood tolerances and margins.
Hardware that integrates cleanly, tests efficiently, and qualifies without major rework.
Clear documentation and interfaces that enable fast iteration and scaling.
A team executing with rigor, ownership, and technical confidence.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
5+ years of experience in optomechanical design and development of precision optical systems.
Demonstrated experience owning optomechanical designs from requirements through integration and test.
Strong background in optical mounting, alignment, tolerancing, metrology, and materials, adhesives, and mounting approaches that preserve performance through varied thermal and vibration environments.
Proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo, or equivalent), GD&T, and FEA.
Hands-on experience with hardware integration, alignment, fabrication or assembly of optical hardware, environmental testing, and test and characterization of optical components and assemblies.
Experience producing high-quality technical documentation.
Strong communication skills and ability to lead cross-functional technical efforts.
Preferred
Advanced degree in optics, physics, engineering, mathematics, or a related technical field.
Experience with spaceflight or other high-reliability aerospace systems.
Experience with EO/IR, hyperspectral, laser, or precision imaging payloads.
Familiarity with Zemax or similar optical design tools.
Experience with fabrication of optics or coatings, adhesives, bonding, and contamination-controlled assembly.
Experience supporting NASA, DoD, SBIR, or commercial space programs.
Comfort operating in fast-paced startup or rapid-development environments.
Location
This role is based in El Segundo, CA, with onsite presence required (temporary remote flexibility may be considered). Some travel may be required.
ITAR Requirements
To comply with U.S. export regulations, applicants must be one of the following:
A U.S. citizen or national
A lawful permanent resident (green card holder)
Eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
Employee Offerings & Benefits
At Matter, we believe in rewarding high performance and providing the support you need to thrive. Our compensation and benefits package includes:
Compensation: Competitive total package based on experience.
Equity: Early-stage equity package so you share directly in Matter’s growth and success.
Health & Wellness: 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage.
Growth: Opportunities to expand into leadership, strategic accounts, or cross-functional roles as we scale.
Who You Are
You are a mission-driven technical leader who thrives at the intersection of engineering complexity, high-stakes decisions, and building real hardware that flies. You think holistically, communicate clearly, and elevate the entire engineering team around you.
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