Space Optical Payload AIT Lead

Galaxeye Space; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Galaxeye Space in Bengaluru seeks a seasoned AIT Lead to own the payload assembly, integration and verification for a high‑performance Earth‑observation imaging instrument. You will manage the AIT plan, ensure traceability from requirements to data, and coordinate optical, mechanical, electronics, thermal, firmware and test teams.

This hands‑on role requires optical alignment, metrology and test‑data analysis, plus leadership in risk reviews, anomaly containment and re‑test closure.

Qualifications

• Degree in Optical/Mechanical/Aerospace/Electronics Engineering or Physics.
• 8+ years in precision optical/electro-optical/space hardware integration and test; leadership of complex AIT/AIV activities preferred.
• Hands-on experience in optical alignment, opto-mechanical assembly, optical metrology and test-data analysis.
• Knowledge of telescope/imaging metrics: WFE, MTF, PSF, EFFL, distortion, focus, boresight, radiometry, spectral response.

Responsibilities

• Own the payload AIT plan, integration flow, verification matrix, test schedule, resource/GSE readiness and risk register.
• Lead optical and opto-mechanical assembly, precision alignment, shimming, bonding and metrology.
• Lead AIT of the payload to Satellite structure with high precision.
• Lead telescope and camera performance verification: wavefront/interferometry, focus, boresight, MTF, PSF, radiometry and image-quality characterization.
• Lead OFE-to-CE integration: FPA alignment, thermal/mechanical interfaces, harnessing, grounding/bonding, detector checkout, timing/data interfaces, firmware compatibility.
• Plan and execute functional, vibration, shock and TVAC campaigns, including baselines and re-verification.
• Define, review and execute controlled procedures, travellers, data sheets and reports; ensure traceability.
• Chair or support TRRs, MRRs, pre-/post-test reviews and daily AIT reviews; make evidence-based go/no-go recommendations.
• Lead anomaly containment, NCR/discrepancy investigation, root-cause analysis coordination, corrective actions and re-test closure.
• Coordinate with optical, mechanical, electronics, thermal, software/FPGA, quality, spacecraft, supplier and test-house teams.
• Build a disciplined but agile AIT culture: identify issues early, prioritize non-destructive diagnostics, adapt plans while protecting flight configuration.

Skills

AIT leadership

Optical alignment

Test-data analysis

Plan & execution

Education

Bachelor/Master in Optical/Mechanical/Aerospace/Electronics Engineering or Physics

Tools

Optical metrology

TVAC testing

Job description

Role Purpose

Lead the controlled assembly, integration, verification and environmental-test readiness of a flight optical payload from precision optical/mechanical subassemblies through telescopeCamera integration, payload characterization and delivery. The role owns AIT execution, technical readiness, configuration traceability, test evidence and anomaly closure for a high-performance Earth-observation imaging instrument.

About the Team

You join a tight, multidisciplinary payload group that owns the MSI instrument end-to-end: mission-driven requirements, optical/opto-mechanical design, camera + control electronics, firmware/FPGA, and hands-on integration testing. We operate like a true startup engineering squad: direct communication, rapid problem-solving, and shared ownership. Decisions are made with a systems mindset, and plans turn into hardware quickly. Expect deep collaboration with data, business, and spacecraft teams as we mature the payload from prototype to flight-ready hardware. This is a dynamic, hands-on role. Priorities, interfaces and test plans will evolve as hardware and programme maturity advance. The successful candidate is adaptable, calm under pressure, comfortable moving between detailed shop-floor execution and system-level decision-making, and able to create practical structure without slowing development momentum.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the payload AIT plan, integration flow, verification matrix, test schedule, resource/GSE readiness and risk register.
• Lead optical and opto-mechanical assembly, precision alignment, shimming, bonding, torque-controlled installation, cleanliness control and as-built metrology.
• Lead AIT of the payload to Satellite structure with high precision.
• Lead telescope and camera performance verification: wavefront/interferometry, focus, boresight, MTF, PSF, EFFL, distortion, resolution, radiometry/RSR and image-quality characterization.
• Lead OFE-to-CE integration: FPA alignment, thermal/mechanical interfaces, harnessing, grounding/bonding, detector checkout, timing/data interfaces, firmware compatibility and image acquisition.
• Plan and execute functional, vibration, shock and TVAC campaigns, including pre-/post-environmental baselines and optical re-verification.
• Define, review and execute controlled procedures, travellers, test data sheets and reports; ensure traceability from requirement to raw data and acceptance result.
• Chair or support TRRs, MRRs, pre-test/post-test reviews and daily AIT reviews; make evidence-based go/no-go recommendations.
• Lead anomaly containment, NCR/discrepancy investigation, root-cause analysis coordination, corrective actions and re-test closure.
• Coordinate closely with optical, mechanical, electronics, thermal, software/FPGA, quality, spacecraft, supplier and external test-house teams.
• Build a disciplined but agile AIT culture: identify issues early, prioritise non-destructive diagnostics, communicate directly and adapt plans while protecting flight configuration and quality.

Requirements

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Optical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electronics Engineering, Physics or related discipline.
• 8+ years in precision optical, electro-optical or space-hardware integration and test; demonstrated leadership of complex AIT/AIV activities preferred.
• Hands-on experience in optical alignment, opto-mechanical assembly, optical metrology and test-data analysis.
• Working knowledge of telescope/imaging metrics: WFE, MTF, PSF, EFFL, distortion, focus, boresight, radiometry and spectral response.