Senior Optical Systems Engineer / Senior Optical Systems Engineeress

Senior Optical Systems Engineer

Every image captured by a satellite and each laser link formed relies on an expert who comprehends both the spacecraft and its optical payload. It is at this critical interface where mission performance is achieved.

Our client is seeking a Senior Optical Systems Engineer to play a pivotal role at this interface, owning mission performance requirements for Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) and laser systems. In this position, you will be responsible for building predictive models on system performance and validating that performance both on the ground and in orbit. If you have around 7 or more years of optical engineering experience and are looking for an opportunity to operate independently throughout the entire lifecycle without the need to manage an entire department, this role is an excellent match for you.

The Role

You will be responsible for:

• Owning mission performance requirements for remote sensing and/or space-to-space missions.
• Modelling phenomenology and detection performance for EO/IR and active sensor systems.
• Serving as the main interface between the optical payload, the space vehicle team, and the mission data processing team.
• Managing requirements and interfaces across all three teams.
• Designing and implementing modelling and simulation of optical systems.
• Developing and executing unit and system level test campaigns on the ground and in orbit.
• Managing supplier and partner performance.
• Coordinating project budgets and schedules.
• Contributing to large-scale new business proposals.

The team focuses on two primary areas: EO/IR camera systems, covering the visible spectrum to longwave infrared, and laser systems, including laser rangefinders and optical communication terminals. Candidates with expertise in either area, or both, are encouraged to apply online using the form below.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical sciences, or computer science.
• 7 or more years of industry experience in optical engineering.
• Experience with space-to-space and/or space-to-ground laser communications.
• Experience in performance, phenomenology, or modelling of space-based EO sensors.
• US Citizenship is required. No active security clearance is needed to start, but the ability to obtain a Secret clearance post-start is required.

What Sets Candidates Apart

• 10 or more years of experience working with satellite optical instrumentation, design, and/or operation.
• On-orbit experience in the operation and performance validation of optical communication terminals.
• Experience developing and maintaining link budgets for optical communication terminals.
• Experience in the design, integration, qualification, and testing of satellite optical hardware like EO/IR payloads, star trackers, or laser rangefinders.
• Experience with onboard or ground processing of optical data to extract mission-relevant information.
• Ability to mentor and develop other team members.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Only applications matching the job profile will be considered. Apply online using the form below.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Adam Slade