Optical Engineer III at Astra

Reston, Virginia, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Telecommunications, Optical NetworkingIndustries

Requirements

Strong knowledge of Ciena RLS platforms (Reconfigurable Line System) and Ciena 6500/Waveserver systems
Experience with DWDM, ROADM, and coherent optical technologies (amplifiers, EDFAs, VOAs, ROADMs, OCMs, etc.)
Hands-on proficiency with remote testing tools (OTDR, optical power meter, OSA, and remote test heads)
Familiarity with optical provisioning, network management systems, and EMS/NMS platforms (e.g., Ciena OneControl, ONeMS)
Working knowledge of optical span design and characterization — loss budgets, OSNR, chromatic/polarization dispersion
Understanding of fiber infrastructure and construction fundamentals — splicing, patch panels, patching schematics, and labeling standards
Competency with MOP/EDP creation and validation for optical routes and terminals
Basic IP networking and transport knowledge (Layer 1–3 awareness)
5+ years in Optical Transport Engineering, Field Testing, or Remote Provisioning roles (preferred)
Experience supporting Backbone, Metro, or Long-Haul optical builds (preferred)
Prior exposure to Meta, hyperscale, or carrier-class optical networks (preferred)
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot remotely and coordinate effectively with field resources (preferred)
Understanding of RTTS workflows — test execution, results validation, documentation, and system handoff (preferred)
Strong communication and coordination skills with geographically distributed teams
Proven ability to lead remote activities and provide technical direction under time constraints
Analytical, detail-oriented, and documentation-driven mindset
Comfortable working in fast-paced, global deployment environments

Responsibilities

Lead remote turn-up, test, and provisioning of optical network elements (Ciena RLS and related DWDM/ROADM equipment)
Direct field technicians to execute optical testing (OTDR, power level validation, span qualification, and fiber continuity checks)
Validate and document Engineering Design Package (EDP) and Method of Procedure (MOP) requirements during live testing and activation
Coordinate with Network Operations, Optical Build, and Vendor teams to resolve test failures, alarms, or misconfigurations
Ensure all links and spans are traffic-ready, aligned with project SLOs and Meta deployment standards
Maintain accurate test results, provisioning records, and closure documentation within project tracking systems (e.g., NeXT, JIRA, or similar)

Skills

Ciena RLS

DWDM

ROADM

OTDR

Optical Power Meter

OSA

EDFA

VOA

OCM

Ciena OneControl

ONeMS

Optical Span Design

MOP

EDP

IP Networking

Astra

Provides launch services for small satellites

About Astra

Astra provides launch services specifically for small satellites, catering to commercial businesses, government agencies, and research institutions that need reliable access to space. The company operates small, agile rockets designed to transport these satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). Astra's approach focuses on making space more accessible by reducing the costs and complexities associated with satellite launches, which allows a wider range of customers to utilize their services. Unlike many competitors, Astra emphasizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness in its operations, aiming to meet the growing demand for satellite-based services such as Earth observation and telecommunications. The company's goal is to facilitate more frequent and affordable satellite launches, thereby expanding opportunities for various applications in the space industry.

Alameda, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2016Year Founded

$291.8MTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

AerospaceIndustries

201-500Employees

Benefits

Competitive Medical (HMO & PPO)/Dental/Vision plans

Company paid Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability plans

401K with company match

Flexible Spending Account

Commuter benefits

Caregiving support benefits

Company perks, like PetPlan, curated gym/travel/products discounts

Free lunch

Company events

Risks

Going private may limit Astra's access to public capital markets.

Astra faces financial instability due to liquidity crunch and high cost of capital.

Intensifying competition in the small satellite launch market could impact Astra's market share.

Differentiation

Astra offers cost-effective launch services for small satellite payloads.

The company focuses on agile rockets for frequent access to space.

Astra provides online reservations for payload deliveries to various orbits.

Upsides

Growing demand for small satellite constellations aligns with Astra's business model.

U.S. government investment in space technology presents contract opportunities for Astra.

Astra's reusable rocket technology could lead to significant cost reductions.

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