Optical Payload Engineer
Core
Develop, integrate, and verify electro-optical and infrared payloads for a weather observation satellite constellation.
Role type
Senior IC optical payload engineer
Builds
Space-based weather sensing instruments and data streams
Domain
Aerospace engineering + Optical imaging + Atmospheric science
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
EO/IR imaging fundamentals, radiometry, signal-to-noise ratio analysis, MTF, detector performance, optical system design, environmental testing, spacecraft integration, technical requirements definition
Preferred skills
Optical alignment, stray light analysis, thermal distortion modeling, vibration/jitter analysis, radiometric calibration
Technologies
Electro-optical hardware, imaging sensors, focal plane systems, optical assemblies
Responsibilities
Translate mission objectives into payload requirements and verification plans; analyze optical performance drivers (aperture, focal length, detector pitch); characterize imaging sensors and subsystems; assess thermal and structural effects on image quality; support integration and environmental testing; collaborate across spacecraft and science teams to resolve technical risks
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC