Optical Payload Execution Lead

Satellite imagery is a historically-scarce resource, whose adoption has been slowed by an unbalanced relationship between price and resolution. In theory, frequent, ultra high-resolution imagery of Earth has near infinite applications; in reality, only a sliver of that potential has been realized.

Albedo aims to be the catalyst in unlocking satellite imagery’s latent potential, hoping to expand current applications and propel the discovery of new use cases. Whether our imagery is being used to reduce wildfire risk, assess the environmental impact of global forestry, contribute to timely 3D reconstructions of urban areas, or monitor carbon emissions from industrial power plants, our mission is to get better data into the hands of decision makers fast. We’re modernizing how satellite imagery is used by providing near real-time access to our ultra-high resolution data.

What We’re Up To:  Albedo is developing a novel approach to the earth observation industry, both in space and with our business model. We are intentionally doing things differently by taking (calculated) risks, trying new things, and moving with speed. Our team believes satellite imagery is a valuable resource that should be made accessible, in every sense of the word. We are committed to our customers, ensuring that what we’re building is what they want. We are playing at the edges of how traditional New Space technologies have been approached, and we want to shake up the industry as it stands today.

Who We’re Looking For:  Albedo is launching next-generation, ultra high-resolution imaging satellites to service a global audience through a modern, cloud-based product interface. In order to achieve this goal, we are looking for a team of people who are both passionate about our mission and are willing to put in the work to design, develop, and test an innovative earth observation concept in the commercial industry. The times ahead will be set in a fast-paced, often uncertain environment, but if you are hard-working, kind, and team-oriented, you can expect a rewarding and purposeful experience.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide the day-to-day technical and programmatic oversight and direction to the execution of a large, highly sophisticated optical payload development and procurement effort with our hardware provider(s)
• Become integrated in a team of dozens of experts, learning all aspects of the design and approach, and serve as the primary company resource for understanding the detailed aspects of the optical payload
• Combine your own experience with the rest of the Albedo space team to drive an unwavering focus on affordability, lean execution, and the Albedo risk mindset
• Engage with, and provide direction at, lower-level design efforts and design reviews conducted by the optical payload provider
• Remove low-value-added engineering effort through experience and in-depth understanding of the day-to-day activities to further trim cost
• Innovate with your insights into how better to deliver on the Albedo mission within resource constraints
• Serve as primary company representative for failure review or material review board processes
• Interact and coordinate with space vehicle level integration and ground system integration as the primary technical expert on the optical payload
• Deliver the optical payload to enable the world’s first commercial 10 cm resolution satellite imagery at a highly affordable price
• Travel to supplier locations

Ideal Skills and Experience:

• Experience as the lead, or otherwise giving substantial direction for an on-going period, on a space hardware development effort
• Successful experience executing Design to Cost or similar efforts where smart and difficult decisions on removing technical scope are required to fit within resource constraints, especially where your detailed engineering understanding delivered an insightful efficiency opportunity
• Experience with the following phases of development: preliminary design to critical (or final) design, component manufacturing, component test, system integration, system test, and verification (or sell off)
• Demonstrated success at collaborating with teams at remote locations at other companies and building strong relationships, while still holding the line on ensuring the delivered product meets needs
• Expertise in at least two, and familiarity in at least two others of the following nine technical areas in a space application: optical components, opto-mechanical systems, structures and dynamics, thermal control, high rate digital electronics, FPGA digital logic design, software, and optical performance analyses.

Additional Requirements: In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. All persons hired will be required to be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Albedo is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Questions? Feedback? Feel free to email us at careers @ albedo.com