Optical Systems Engineer

Overview

In this role you will lead the development of spacecraft optical payloads within SSTL’s Optical Team, acting as the technical lead for optical systems. You will drive design from concept through manufacture, integrate metrology and environmental testing, and own verification, validation, and documentation. You will balance performance with schedule and budget while engaging with customers and project managers. You will contribute to flight-ready optical systems that enable high-performance imaging in space.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of spacecraft optical payloads and act as technical POC for the optical systems
• Design from concept to manufacture, system integration and verification
• Plan and execute optical metrology programmes (interferometry, autocollimators, MTF benches, wavefront tools) and interpret results
• Lead or support environmental test campaigns and document outcomes
• Hands-on integration, alignment, and assembly of optical payloads for flight hardware
• Develop and maintain verification/validation plans, risk registers, and schedules
• Manage delivery of optical system work packages with documentation for reviews and customer acceptance
• Collaborate with PMs/technical leads to balance performance against budget and schedule
• Present holistic optical status to customers at project reviews
• Provide technical oversight of architecture, specifications, supplier activities, and testing

Key requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of Optical Engineering in space/defence/high-performance imaging
• Proven ownership of optical system requirements, interfaces, and verification
• Experience producing technical documentation: requirements matrices, V&V plans, test reports
• Strong communication and ability to work autonomously or in teams
• Track record of delivering end-to-end optical development across project phases

• Self-motivated and detail-oriented
• Good communication and collaboration
• Creative problem solving
• Optical design/analysis experience with OpticStudio (Zemax)
• Experience with FRED (optional)
• Knowledge of opto-mechanical design principles, alignment, and thermal/vibration sensitivity

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