Optical engineer Jobs in Long Beach, CA

Engineering Manager, Electro-Optical Systems

Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.

What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.

It's the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

True Anomaly is seeking an innovative Electro-Optical Systems Engineering Manager to lead a small, agile team responsible for the design, development, integration, and testing of high-performance, affordable optical systems for our seeker and autonomous orbital vehicles. This includes Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) suites, LiDAR, hyperspectral imaging, and other advanced EO/IR payloads. Reporting to the VP of New Product Engineering, this role encompasses deep technical contribution alongside people management and strategic product planning. The successful candidate will be a recognized expert in electro-optical systems development, with a command of the state-of-the-art in the field and the judgment to evaluate vertically integrated versus COTS solutions with speed and confidence. You will work closely with Business Development and the Program Office to define and execute the company's EO systems roadmap, translating mission needs into fielded hardware that delivers real on-orbit capability.

Own the technical direction for EO/IR payload systems, including seekers, RPO sensor suites, LiDAR, and hyperspectral imaging systems

Lead, mentor, and grow a team of electro-optical engineers across the full payload development lifecycle

Oversee end-to-end EO systems development: requirements definition, optical and systems design, component selection, analysis, procurement, integration, and test

Evaluate and down-select between vertically integrated and COTS solutions based on performance, cost, schedule, and mission risk

Partner with the VP of New Product Engineering, Business Development, and Program Office to define and maintain the company's EO systems development roadmap

Develop and maintain optical performance budgets, including radiometric, signal-to-noise, and resolution analyses

Ensure payload designs meet mission requirements for reliability, thermal performance, radiation tolerance, and size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints

Manage schedules, budgets, staffing, and technical risk across multiple EO payload programs

Collaborate with avionics, systems engineering, GNC, and software teams to ensure seamless spacecraft integration

Drive compliance with applicable aerospace standards and lead design reviews with internal stakeholders and customers

Communicate product development status and issues with leadership and stakeholders

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred)

10+ years of professional experience in electro-optical systems design and development for aerospace, defense, or high-reliability applications

Demonstrated experience with EO/IR imaging systems, including detector selection, optical design, and system-level performance modeling

Experience with proximity operations or seeker sensor architectures, LiDAR systems, or hyperspectral imaging payloads

Strong understanding of radiometric analysis, optical performance budgeting, and image quality assessment

Familiarity with SWaP-constrained design trade-offs for spacecraft payloads

Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams and deliver complex hardware on schedule

Experience with space-qualified or radiation-tolerant EO/IR detector and focal plane array technologies

Familiarity with optical design tools such as Zemax/OpticStudio, CODE V, or similar

Experience with LiDAR system design, waveform processing, and point cloud generation

Knowledge of hyperspectral sensor design, calibration, and on-orbit data processing

Experience with thermal and structural analysis of optomechanical systems

Familiarity with CCSDS or other space telemetry standards for payload data downlink

Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting

Base Salary: $190,000-$295,000

Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

Ability to maintain or obtain TS//SCI clearance

Work Location this role will be onsite at either our Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA locations, with travel to other sites as needed.

Work environment the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.

Physical demands the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.