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About the Role
Foundational is an early-stage startup building precise understanding of space and Earth using ground-based lasers. We empower space companies with data for resilient navigation, Earth observation, and space traffic control. This role involves designing, building, and testing compact optical payloads for small satellites that interoperate with our ground network and data platform.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the optical and opto-mechanical design of small space-based payloads, including component selection, layout, tolerancing, and assembly.
- Build link budgets and performance models covering radiometry, atmospheric transmission, pointing, and detector probability of detection.
- Assemble and align optical hardware, and conduct environmental qualification testing (thermal, vibration, vacuum) and performance characterization.
- Validate ranging precision and pointing accuracy end-to-end with the ground systems team.
- Document designs, provide feedback for future iterations, and take ownership of a segment of the payload.
Requirements
- A degree in physics, optical engineering, aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
- Solid understanding of optics fundamentals, including geometrical and physical optics, radiometry, and basic detector/laser principles.
- Hands-on experience with building, aligning, and repairing hardware.
- Comfort with ambiguity, broad scope, shifting priorities, and self-directed tasks.
- Clear communication and a collaborative, low-ego approach to interdisciplinary work.
- UK citizenship is a firm requirement.
Skills
- Optical design
- Opto-mechanical design
- Component selection
- Layout
- Tolerancing
- Assembly
- Link budgets
- Performance modeling
- Radiometry
- Atmospheric transmission
- Pointing accuracy
- Detector probability of detection
- Hardware integration
- Optical alignment
- Environmental testing
- Thermal testing
- Vibration testing
- Vacuum testing
- Performance characterization
- Ground-to-space validation
- Design documentation
- Lessons learned feedback
- Optical design software (Zemax or Code V)
- Space hardware experience
- CubeSat/smallsat experience
- Optical ground station experience
- LiDAR systems
- Laser systems
- Environmental/space qualification testing
- Data analysis scripting (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
- Laser safety standards awareness
Location
- UK
Work Type
- Full-time
- Onsite
Experience Level
- Early-stage startup experience
- Hands-on experience
Education Level
- Degree in physics, optical engineering, aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering, or related field
Benefits
- Real ownership with genuine autonomy
- High-impact role
- Cutting-edge work on challenging problems
- Equity options through government-backed EMI scheme
- VC-backed company growth
- Dynamic, collaborative team environment
- Opportunities for rapid growth
- Mission-driven work supporting Earth observation and space traffic control
About the Company
- Foundational is an early-stage, mission-driven startup.
- We are tackling complex challenges in the space domain by building the most precise understanding of space and Earth using ground-based lasers.
- Our technology enables resilient navigation, Earth observation, and precise space traffic control.
- We are building a network of satellite laser ranging (SLR) and space debris laser ranging (SDLR) stations, complemented by small optical payloads on-orbit.
- We are a VC-backed company.