Copernicus Sentinel-2 NG Instrument Optical and Performance Lead Engineer

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Noordwijk; Remote; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY is seeking an Instrument Optical and Performance Lead Engineer for the Copernicus Sentinel-2 Next Generation project. You will oversee optical element delivery, performance budgets, and calibration concepts across B2/C/D/E1 phases, reporting to the Payload Manager.

You will lead a team of engineers, coordinate with D/TEC and D/OPS, and work closely with project stakeholders to ensure mission requirements are met within schedule and cost constraints.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of optical design for space-borne instruments.
• Experience with integration, verification and testing of optical systems.
• Strong technical interfaces across subsystems and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development and verification of instrument optical elements.
• Supervise procurement, integration, and in-flight calibration activities.
• Coordinate with D/TEC and project teams on risk and budgets.
• Manage schedule and support launch campaign activities.

Skills

Optical design

Quantum/Space optics

Project management

System engineering

Requirements management

Risk assessment

AIV (assembly, integration & testing)

Leadership

Education

Master's degree in engineering

Alternatively: Bachelor + 4 years experience

Job description

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Copernicus Sentinel-2 NG Instrument Optical and Performance Lead Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 21083

Date Posted: 21 October 2026

Closing Date: 11 November 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Description

Copernicus Sentinel-2 NG Instrument Optical and Performance Lead Engineer in the Payload Management Section, Copernicus S2 and S2 Next Generation Project, Copernicus Space Segment Programme, Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

The Sentinel-2 Next Generation (S2 NG) mission will ensure enhanced continuity of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 first-generation measurements into the 2030s. The project has completed its Phase A/B1 and is entering the Phase B2/C/D implementation phase.

In that context, you will serve as Instrument Optical and Performance Lead Engineer for the Copernicus S2 NG mission. You will report to the S2 NG Payload Manager for all technical and programmatic matters and will work within the relevant project team.
You will be responsible for the procurement, timely delivery and integration of all S2 NG instrument optical elements, as well as all instrument optical-related performances, during Phase B2/C/D/E1. You will work in close cooperation with other engineers within the S2NG project and will coordinate specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).
You will also support additional Copernicus projects featuring optical instruments, such as LSTM and/or CHIME.

Duties

Under the supervision of the Payload Manager, you will bear technical responsibility for the delivery of the optical elements of the S2 NG instrument.

Your responsibilities will include the supervision of the design, development, manufacturing, integration, verification, test and characterisation of all instrument optical elements. These encompass detector filters, optical beam splitter, mirrors, on-board calibration unit, and optical ground support equipment (OGSE).

As part of the project team, you will cooperate with the other elements of the system, supported as required by experts from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC), in the relevant engineering domains.

Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• managing the industrial activities by supervising the specification, design, procurement, development and verification/acceptance of all instrument optical elements, including coordination across functional teams and end-user organisations/operators throughout the project lifetime, from the procurement tender to in-flight commissioning;
• leading the instrument optical elements requirements and specifications, technical and performance budgets, related performance models, design drivers, internal and external payload interfaces, spacecraft-level payload performance and calibration operational concepts, including their consistency with the mission requirements, specifications and technical budgets;
• coordinating the end-to-end instrument performance verification and characterisation, pre-flight and during in-flight commissioning;
• monitoring the industrial progress and design evolution of all instrument optical elements, ensuring that the instrument remains consistent with the technical and programmatic requirements;
• monitoring the instrument optical elements and relevant technology development roadmaps, as necessary;
• monitoring the industrial verification activities to ensure proper verification, including resolving non-conformances and supporting the assessment of deviations and waivers;
• providing regular reporting to project management and identifying technical risk areas, proposing and monitoring mitigation measures;
• contributing to the management of the schedule and proposing schedule optimisation and risk mitigation actions;
• coordinating the optical-related instrument AIV activities and supporting the spacecraft AIV activities, including validation of instrument operational modes and control functions, the preparation of the launch campaign and the in-orbit commissioning of the instrument;
• delegated responsibility from project and/or payload management on programmatic aspects, as necessary;
• leading a team of engineers and specialised engineering support from D/TEC and the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS).

A relevant subset of the above tasks applies also to the Sentinel-2 first generation instrument. You may also support additional Copernicus optical projects by contributing to a subset of the activities and responsibilities outlined above.

Multidisciplinary technical knowledge and experience in your area of responsibility, in particular in relation to remote sensing instrument optical design and performances

Knowledge of and experience in the design, development, integration, verification, characterisation and testing of optical space-borne instruments

Experience of managing technical interfaces between subsystems within ESA project team environment or with the industrial consortium

Knowledge of and experience in project risk management processes, industrial costs and schedule aspects

Knowledge of and experience in space system development and engineering and product assurance standards

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience be considered.

Additional requirements

Extensive knowledge of the optical design, integration and performance evaluation of optical space-borne instruments is considered an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [e-mail] .

Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.