Senior Optical Systems Engineer / Senior Optical Systems Engineeress

Senior Optical Systems Engineer

Every image captured by a satellite and every laser link it establishes hinges on a professional who not only comprehends the spacecraft but also the optical payload onboard. This critical interface is where mission performance is determined.

Our client is seeking a Senior Optical Systems Engineer to take charge of this vital interface, owning mission performance requirements for EO/IR and laser systems. This role involves building predictive models for system performance and validating that performance both on the ground and in orbit. If you have at least 7 years of experience in optical engineering and aspire to work independently across the full lifecycle without the burden of managing an entire department, we encourage you to consider this opportunity.

The Role

You will be responsible for:

• Owning mission performance requirements for remote sensing and/or space-to-space missions.
• Modeling phenomenology and detection performance for EO/IR and active sensor systems.
• Serving as the primary interface among the optical payload, the space vehicle team, and the mission data processing team.
• Managing requirements and interfaces across all three domains.
• Designing and implementing modeling and simulation of optical systems.
• Developing and executing unit and system-level test campaigns both 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 operates in two main areas: EO/IR camera systems, spanning visible to longwave infrared, and laser systems, including laser rangefinders and optical communication terminals. Candidates with expertise in either area, or both, are highly encouraged to apply.

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 communication.
• Experience with performance, phenomenology, or modeling of space-based EO sensors.
• US Citizenship is required. No active security clearance is needed to start, though 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 with the operation and performance validation of optical communication terminals.
• Experience developing and maintaining link budgets for optical communication terminals.
• Experience with the design, integration, qualification, and testing of satellite optical hardware such as 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.

Apply online using the form below. Please note that only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

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

Adam Slade