About this role
Senior Optical Engineer
This is a future role. We're building a shortlist now and will contact you when it opens.
About us
Foundational is building the most precise picture of Earth and orbit, using lasers fired from the ground. We call it ground truth for orbit.
We design and run low-cost, autonomous satellite laser ranging stations. They measure the distance to satellites with extreme precision, day and night. Our data platform turns those measurements into tracking data and orbit products for satellite operators, space agencies and governments. We also build our own flight-proven laser retroreflector arrays, so any satellite can be tracked.
Our station network is expanding across Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. The data supports resilient navigation, Earth observation and the safe, sustainable use of space.
We're a small, fast-moving team of engineers, scientists and operators in London. We're backed by venture investors and supported by ESA, the UK Space Agency, Innovate UK and the European Innovation Council.
Position Overview
London · Full time · On-site
Pulsed lasers are the heart of satellite laser ranging. You'll own the laser subsystem in our stations: selection, integration and reliability, plus the supply chain behind it.
What you'll do
- Specify, select and qualify pulsed laser sources with suppliers
- Integrate lasers into the station, including beam delivery, cooling, power, control and safety interlocks
- Characterise laser performance, and build test rigs to track it over the station's life
- Improve reliability so lasers run unattended at remote sites
- Manage laser damage risk across the optical train with the optics team
- Support laser safety cases and documentation for each site
What you'll bring
- Experience working with short-pulse solid-state or fibre lasers, in industry or research
- Beam characterisation skills: M², pulse width, energy and pointing stability
- Laser safety knowledge (IEC 60825 or equivalent)
- Confidence working with suppliers on specifications and failure investigations
Nice to have
- Satellite laser ranging or lidar experience
- Laser-induced damage threshold testing
- Harmonic generation
- Lasers deployed in the field
What We Offer
- A high-impact role with real ownership at an early-stage, venture-backed spacetech company
- EMI share options (UK employees)
- 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays
- Enhanced Parental Leave
- Cycle to work schemes
- Work alongside engineers and scientists across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics
- Offices in central London, with snacks, tea, coffee and regular socials
We actively champion underrepresented groups and seek to bridge gaps in our workforce. If you're excited by the role but don't match every point, or you’re seeking a part time role, please apply anyway and add a note into your application. Building the best team is our priority.