Staff Optical Engineer

ICEYE; Warsaw (IN); Hybrid; USD 68,585 - 100,240; Full time

Job summary

ICEYE in Warsaw, Poland is seeking a Staff Optical Engineer to lead imaging systems architecture across the full lifecycle, from concept through manufacturing and qualification. You will be a senior member of the tiger team shaping next-generation spaceborne imaging systems.

The role requires deep hands-on experience with imaging optics, from telescopes to detectors, and a demonstrated ability to mentor engineers while balancing performance trade-offs and system-level constraints.

Qualifications

• Extensive imaging optics experience across cameras and space telescopes, from concept to qualification.
• Knowledge of optical system design with detector-side assemblies.
• Experience as imaging systems architect, understanding trade-offs and architectures.
• Ability to assess designs, own technical trade-offs, and steer future designs.
• Strong mentoring skills and daily collaboration with engineers.
• 10+ years of relevant experience with a related degree.

Responsibilities

• Steer the architecture and technical direction of the team's imaging systems as a senior member of the team, staying involved from initial concept through manufacturing, assembly, alignment, and qualification.
• Shape how imaging systems come together end to end, connecting optical design decisions with detector-side elements and focal plane assemblies.
• Mentor engineers across the team day to day, passing on optical judgment and system-level thinking.

Skills

Imaging optics

Optical system design

Imaging systems architect

Mentoring

Education

Optical engineering degree

Applied physics degree

Job description

Role highlights:

Staff Optical Engineer

• Location: Warsaw, Poland

• Department: Engineering / Optical Systems

• Reports to: Engineering Manager, Optical Systems

• Employment type: Permanent

• Workplace model: Hybrid

• Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required)

Why this role matters:

As Staff Optical Engineer, you will be a senior member of the tiger team shaping ICEYE's next generation of spaceborne imaging systems. Drawing on deep, hands‑on experience across imaging optics, from telescopes to full camera systems, you will define how these instruments are architected, resolving the trade‑offs between detector performance and optical design that determine what the system can ultimately achieve. Beyond the design work itself, you will act as a technical anchor for the wider engineering group, mentoring engineers and raising the ceiling of what the team is able to build as it takes on more ambitious optical systems.

Your day-to-day responsibilities

• Steer the architecture and technical direction of the team's imaging systems as a senior member of the team, staying involved from initial concept through manufacturing, assembly, alignment, and qualification.
• Shape how imaging systems come together end to end, connecting optical design decisions with detector-side elements such as focal plane assembly, and applying your experience with large optics to current and future instrument generations.
• Mentor engineers across the team day to day, passing on the optical judgement and system‑level thinking that will let the group take on larger, more demanding designs.

What we’re looking for

Must haves:

• Extensive experience in imaging optics, ideally including cameras, space telescopes, and other imaging systems, gained across the full product lifecycle from concept and design through manufacturing, quality control, assembly, alignment, and qualification.
• Knowledge of optical system design together with the detector side of the system, including focal plane and detector assemblies.
• Experience working as an imaging systems architect, familiar with the trade‑offs and typical architectures for imaging systems.
• Ability to assess designs and requirements and own the technical trade‑offs for the system, with a focus on current and future designs.
• Strong mentoring skills, comfortable working with a group of engineers on a daily basis.
• Degree in optical engineering, applied physics, or a related field, with 10+ years of relevant experience.

Nice to haves:

• Knowledge of the satellite systems and integration of the optical payload with satellite platforms.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We want ICEYE to be a place where people can be themselves and do great work. Different backgrounds and perspectives make us stronger, which is why we work to create an environment where people feel included, respected, and able to speak up. Whatever your background, we want you to bring your authentic self to the table.

We’re committed to fair, inclusive hiring and equal opportunity. Everyone is welcome to apply. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, tell us—we’ll do our best to help.