Optical Payload Engineer – Emerging Sensing for EO

EU Satellite Centre (SatCen); Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ESA seeks an Earth Observation Future Missions Optical Payload Engineer to define, engineer and pre-develop innovative optical payloads for future EO missions. You will lead end-to-end studies, breadboarding new sensing technologies and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams across the Directorate.

You will collaborate with internal partners, manage industrial contracts, and contribute to the EO Quantum Sensing Strategy.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or physics is required, with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience with emerging sensing technologies such as quantum sensors, photonic sensors, freeform optics, miniaturised cameras or spectrometers.
• Ability to work in a team or project environment and coordinate within small teams.

Responsibilities

• Identify and investigate new observation principles and techniques related to emerging sensing technologies.
• Define and assess performance and TRL of new payloads with EO system engineers.
• Develop ground-based or airborne instrument models as needed.
• Coordinate and negotiate contracts for study and risk retirement of new payload systems.

Skills

Spaceborne optical instruments

Optical instrument developments

Optical remote sensing techniques

Emerging sensing technologies

Innovation processes

Education

Master's degree in engineering or physics

5 years of relevant professional experience

Job description

ESA seeks an Earth Observation Future Missions Optical Payload Engineer to define, engineer and pre-develop innovative optical payloads for future EO missions. You will lead end-to-end studies, breadboarding new sensing technologies and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams across the Directorate.

You will collaborate with internal partners, manage industrial contracts, and contribute to the EO Quantum Sensing Strategy.