Optical Engineer - Airborne

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 built core infrastructure at OpenAI. We are now building the next generation of space- and airborne-based sensing systems.

About the Role

Matter is hiring an Optical Engineer focused on airborne systems to help design, integrate, calibrate, and operate the optical path for our airborne sensing payload. This role will work across optical design, optomechanics, calibration, systems engineering, and flight test.

Key Responsibilities

• Support optical design and trade studies for airborne sensing payloads across the required spectral range.

• Define optical interfaces, alignment approaches, tolerances, and performance budgets with adjacent engineering teams.

• Plan and execute optical assembly, alignment, characterization, and calibration activities.

• Support environmental, ground, and flight testing; analyze results and investigate performance gaps.

• Document optical requirements, test methods, calibration results, and configuration changes.

Qualifications

Required

• Strong foundation in optical engineering and experience applying it to physical systems.

• Experience with optical alignment, characterization, calibration, and laboratory test methods.

• Ability to connect models and tolerances to measured system performance.

• Hands-on, cross-functional approach to integration and troubleshooting.

Preferred

• Experience with airborne imaging, spectroscopy, remote sensing, or precision optical instruments.

• Experience working across broad spectral ranges and tightly constrained payload packaging.

• Familiarity with flight test, environmental test, and calibration under operational conditions.

What Success Looks Like

• The airborne optical system meets defined performance and calibration requirements.

• Alignment and calibration processes are repeatable, documented, and practical for field operations.

• Flight-test data is translated quickly into clear root causes and design or process improvements.

Location

This role is based in El Segundo, CA, and requires onsite work.

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 and Benefits

At Matter, we believe in rewarding high performance and providing the support you need to thrive. Our compensation and benefits package includes:

• Competitive compensation based on experience

• Early-stage equity package

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision coverage

• Opportunity to work on novel sensing, data, and AI systems with real-world deployment paths to the largest industries in the world

Matter Intelligence is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who can raise the ambition and performance of the team.