Role: Senior Optical Engineer

Employment Type: Full Time

Educational Qualification: Master’s degree or higher in Optical Engineering or related field

Work Experience: Minimum 5 years of hands-on optical design experience in high-performance imaging systems, preferably in aerospace, defense, or precision instrumentation domains.

Role Description:

This role will be responsible for the design, development, and qualification of optical assemblies for Pixxel’s space-based spectral imaging systems. The Optical Engineer will contribute to every stage of the product lifecycle—from concept to deployment—and play a critical role in enabling daily, high-resolution imagery of Earth through cutting-edge satellite technology.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Lead the engineering design and qualification of optical components, modules, and subsystems.
• Collaborate with optical and mechanical engineers and scientists to convert concepts into validated prototypes and flight-ready systems.
• Define and develop specifications for active and passive optical components and lead payload level and system level qualification.
• Manage technical documentation and support procurement activities including RFQs, purchase orders, and vendor interactions.
• Work cross-functionally with QA, development engineers, and supply chain to resolve design or quality issues.
• Participate in technical design reviews and compile performance validation and qualification reports. Travel, when necessary, for design reviews, manufacturing support, and quality inspections (domestic/international).

Desirable Skills & Certifications:

• Proficiency in optical design and simulation software: Zemax/Code V/Synopsys/ or equivalent and, ASAP/FRED/TracePro
• Basic knowledge of detectors utilized in optical systems
• Experience in tolerance analysis, GD&T, and tight-tolerance optomechanical systems
• Hands-on experience with optical metrology, environmental testing, thermal analysis, and space-qualified materials and adhesives
• Familiarity with MATLAB, LabVIEW, or equivalent tools for analysis and automation
• Strong communication and documentation skills

Candidate Acumen:

We’re looking for a passionate and driven engineer who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative and innovation-driven environment. The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and eager to work at the intersection of cutting-edge optics and space technology.

Benefits:

• Health insurance coverage
• Unlimited leaves & flexible working hours
• Role-based remote work and work-from-home benefit
• Relocation assistance
• Professional Mental Wellness services
• Creche facility for primary caregivers (limited to India)
• Employee Stock Options for all hires

About Pixxel

Pixxel is a space data company and spacecraft manufacturer redefining Earth observation with hyperspectral imaging. The company’s first three commercial hyperspectral satellites—Fireflies—deliver imagery at 5-meter resolution and 135+ spectral bands, providing 50x richer detail than traditional Earth observation systems and unlocking insights across agriculture, climate, energy, environment, and more.

Once fully deployed, Pixxel’s constellation of 18-24 satellites will capture imagery across up to 250 bands in VNIR and SWIR ranges, with a 40 km swath and daily global revisit capability. Pixxel’s most unique strength is its full-stack approach, integrating every layer of the value chain from satellite hardware and manufacturing to AI-powered analytics.

Pixxel’s satellite constellation is complemented by Aurora, its in-house Earth Observation Studio that simplifies satellite imagery analysis and democratises remote sensing for all. Designed to make hyperspectral data more accessible, Aurora by Pixxel combines high-frequency imagery with AI-powered tools to generate actionable insights, even for users without technical backgrounds. The third pillar of Pixxel’s ecosystem is its in-house satellite manufacturing capability. Beyond building its own spacecraft, Pixxel also provides satellite systems and subsystems to other organisations. This dual capacity sets it apart in a sector where most companies focus on either payload design or data operations, but not both.

Pixxel’s team is young but deeply mission-aligned, with a culture rooted in curiosity, speed, and long-term thinking. As the company grows its constellation and expands Aurora, the focus remains on making space-based insights practical, scalable, and genuinely helpful so that the health of the planet becomes measurable and action becomes possible.

Pixxel was the only Indian startup selected for the Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator in Los Angeles and has been recognised in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and Via Satellite’s Top Innovators list.

For more information, see our Careers page or follow Pixxel on LinkedIn and X/Twitter.

Culture

Pixxel is an organization where we enable our employees to work on world-changing problems that they are passionate about, and a place where they can be their best selves day in and day out while ensuring they have fun every day.

Central to our employee-first ethos is a commitment to ensuring that every team member feels valued and heard. We nurture a healthy and supportive work environment where we prioritise well-being and growth in all aspects of life.

Link to Pixxel in Media