Lead Engineer EO/IR Payloads Ground & Space

Fortune Consultancy; Chennai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct collaboration with leadership

Exposure to international defence and宇

Job summary

Fortune Consultancy is seeking an experienced EO/IR Payload Engineer to design, develop, integrate and qualify electro-optical and infrared payloads for ground and spaceborne missions. You will work across optical design, detector electronics, mechanical packaging and environmental qualification to deliver imaging and tracking systems.

Responsibilities include end-to-end system architecture, integration of sensors and cryogenic coolers, calibration and performance assessment, and collaboration

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electronics/Telecommunications/Avionics; MBA is a plus.
• 5–10 years total experience in EO/IR payloads or related domains.
• Experience with MIL-STD environmental testing and space qualification testing.

Responsibilities

• Architect end-to-end EO/IR imaging systems across VIS, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR bands.
• Integrate sensors, thermal cores, LRFs and optical benches with optical and mechanical teams.
• Lead environmental qualification and perform radiometric, geometric and spectral calibration.
• Oversee thermal-optical performance and athermalization for IR sensors.
• Collaborate with software/hardware teams on real-time video processing and PAT algorithms.
• Engage with DRDO/ISRO/defence labs for R&D alignment.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Optics software

Education

B.E./B.Tech in Electronics/Telecommunications/Avionics

MBA (advantage)

Tools

Ansys Zemax OpticStudio

CODE V

LightTools

Ansys Speos

Job description

Role & responsibilities

We are looking for an experienced EO/IR Payload Engineer to design, develop, integrate and qualify electro-optical and infrared payloads. These cover ground-based defence platforms (land and maritime surveillance, tactical gimbals, anti-drone systems) and spaceborne imaging missions (Earth observation, nanosatellite payloads). You will work across optical design, detector electronics, mechanical packaging and environmental qualification to deliver mission-critical imaging and tracking systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect end-to-end EO/IR imaging systems across the VIS, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR bands for ground surveillance and space remote sensing
• Integrate multi-spectral telescopes, cooled/uncooled thermal cores, laser rangefinders (LRF) and optical bench assemblies with optical and mechanical teams
• Select and integrate CMOS/CCD, InGaAs SWIR and cooled MWIR/LWIR focal plane arrays, and define readout electronics and interfaces (Camera Link, CoaXPress, SpaceWire)
• Lead environmental qualification: MIL-STD-810G / MIL-STD-461 / JSS 55555 for ground systems, and ISRO/IEEE/ECSS standards for space payloads (TVAC, random vibration, shock, EMI/EMC)
• Carry out radiometric, geometric and spectral calibration using blackbodies, integrating spheres, collimators and MTF test stations, and measure NETD, MRTD, MTF and SNR
• Oversee thermal-optical performance and athermalization, including TEC and Stirling cryogenic coolers for IR sensors
• Work with software, hardware and systems teams on real-time video processing, Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking (PAT) algorithms and image stabilization
• Liaise with defence R&D labs (DRDO, ISRO, defence PSUs)

Required Skills & Experience

• 5 9 years of direct experience designing, assembling, aligning and testing EO/IR systems, thermal imaging cameras or spaceborne remote sensing payloads
• Working knowledge of Ansys Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, LightTools or Ansys Speos for ray tracing, stray light or radiometric analysis
• Hands-on experience with IR collimators, autocollimators, blackbodies, interferometers, beam profilers and wavefront sensors
• Strong background in MIL-STD environmental testing for defence ground systems or space qualification testing for satellite payloads
• Proficiency in Python / MATLAB for EO performance modelling (DRI/range calculations, NETD, MTF) and automated test bench control

Desirable

• Exposure to stabilized gimbal payloads, UAV EO/IR pods, counter-drone optical tracking, or spaceborne telescope calibration (e.g., Cartosat, OceanSat, CubeSat payloads)
• Familiarity with active electro-optics such as LRFs, laser designators or Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs)
  
• Identify, target and build relationships with Tier-1 global defence and aerospace OEMs in the US, Europe and advanced APAC, helping them diversify their supply chains
• Pitch design-to-build and build-to-spec capabilities, including FPGA/RTL co-design, VPX/cPCI COTS boards, EW subsystems, simulators and custom ATEs
• Identify, appoint and manage in-country consultants and representatives with access to procurement boards and engineering decision-makers
• Conduct Remote Factory Walk-Ins for overseas engineering leaders, showcasing manufacturing, testing infrastructure and cleanrooms
• Work with engineering, programme management and estimating teams to respond to RFQs and EOIs from international primes
• Represent the company at international aerospace and defence exhibitions and trade missions to build visibility and generate qualified leads

Required Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Electronics, Telecommunications or Avionics (an MBA is an added advantage)
• 5 10 years of total experience, with at least 3 5 years in international business development, technical sales or account management in the Defence, Aerospace or High-reliability Electronics sector
• Good understanding of embedded systems, military electronics standards (MIL-STD), radar/EW architectures and hardware-software co-development
• Proven track record of managing accounts or building partnerships in Western markets (Europe/US) or advanced technology hubs
• Excellent English communication and negotiation skills, with experience giving high-level technical presentations to engineering leadership and procurement executives

What We Offer

• The chance to lead international growth for one of India's fastest-growing defence electronics companies, moving from domestic programmes to multi-year global supply contracts
• Direct collaboration with executive leadership and in-house R&D and manufacturing teams