Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall) is open at SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA. The posting gives a salary of $190K - $285K. Posted on Aug 25, 2026, and still on SpaceX’s careers page when we last checked, on Nov 14, 2026.
About the role
Drive product vision and system-level architecture for a visible-camera and IR navigation sensor Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation Define requirements for high-performance optical/IR navigation sensors in challenging environmental conditions Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations…
The opening lines of the posting. The rest is on SpaceX’s careers page.
Hiring at SpaceX
SpaceX has 2,758 open roles right now, 16 of them remote. Most are in Engineering, Manufacturing & Trades and Supply Chain & Logistics. The median advertised salary across its roles with a published range is $142K. See all its roles
