Optical Systems Engineer - Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
About this role
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. and our selected partners use cookies and similar technologies (together “cookies”) that are necessary to present this website, and to ensure you get the best experience of it. If you consent to it, we will also use cookies for analytics purposes. See our You can withdraw and manage your consent at any time, by clicking “Manage cookies” at the bottom of each website page. If you consent to it, we will also set other types of cookies. You can provide or withdraw your consent to the different types of cookies using the toggles below. You can change or withdraw your consent at any time, by clicking the link “Manage Cookies”, which is always available at the bottom of the site. To learn more about what the different types of cookies do, how your data is used when they are set etc, see our Strictly necessary These cookies are necessary to make the site work properly, and are always set when you visit the site. Vendors Teamtailor Analytics These cookies collect information to help us understand how the site is being used. Vendors Teamtailor Accept these cookies Decline all non-necessary cookies Payloads · Guildford · Hybrid Optical Systems Engineer Apply for this job Optical Systems Engineer, Job Ref: 2146SN Key Purpose of Job The Optical Team seeks a dynamic, organised and proactive engineer with high standards and technical capabilities to lead the development and delivery of the next generation of SSTL’s spacecraft Optical Payloads. Key Tasks · Development of space-borne optical systems within a multidisciplinary team performing optical instrument system design, being the technical point of contact for the relevant optical system(s) · Design and development of optical systems from concept through to manufacture, system integration and verification · Plan, execute, and interpret optical metrology programmes using interferometry, autocollimators, MTF bench setups, and wavefront measurement tools, for incoming inspection, build verification, and system-level acceptance testing. · Lead or support environmental test campaigns for optical payloads, developing test plans, overseeing execution, interpreting results against performance requirements, and formally documenting outcomes. · Participate hands-on in the integration, alignment, and assembly of optical payloads, applying precision alignment techniques to the standard required for flight hardware. · Develop and maintain verification and validation plans, risk registers, and development schedules · Manage the delivery of complete optical system work packages, including ownership of technical documentation to the standard required for formal reviews, IP traceability, and customer acceptance: requirements matrices, design analysis records, test reports, and build books. · Reviewing and balancing optical system performance against programmatic and budget constraints, working collaboratively with project managers and technical leads to maintain delivery. · Engage directly with customers at project reviews, presenting a holistic view of the optical payload technical status, risk, and performance. · Provide technical support and oversight of optical system architecture, performance analysis, subsystem and component specification, supplier activities, and optical alignment and testing. PERSON SPECIFICATION Previous Experience Required: · Comprehensive knowledge of Optical Engineering, applied to space, defence or high-performance imaging applications, coupled with a working knowledge of other engineering disciplines e.g. electronics, opto-mechanics, image processing and electro-optical device physics · Proven ownership of optical system requirements, interfaces, and verification across a multidisciplinary programme · Experience producing technical documentation: requirements matrices, V&V plans and test reports Ideal: · Hands-on experience with optical characterisation and testing activities including alignment, metrology and system-level acceptance · End-to-end involvement in optical development from early concepts and trade-offs through integration, test and acceptance Qualifications Knowledge & Skills Required: · BSc in Optics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering or relevant BEng degree with proven related practical experience in aerospace optical and/or spacecraft systems. · Proven experience in optical systems engineering applied to space, defence, or high-performance imaging programmes—with demonstrable ownership of systems-level responsibilities: requirements, interfaces, verification, and risk. · Self-motivated, creative, high attention to detail and accountable · Ability to work autonomously or within project team(s) and a real company player · Good communication skills · Ability to work under pressure in an organised and responsive manner · Creative problem solving · Good MS Office Skills Ideal: · Optical design and analysis experience with proficiency in OpticStudio (Zemax); experience with FRED would be an additional advantage. · Knowledge of opto-mechanical design principles: kinematic mounting strategies, thermal and vibration sensitivity of optical assemblies, and precision alignment approaches. · Ability to write and understand simple python scripts. · Knowledge of Quality Management systems. · Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities. · Able to demonstrate company mindsets; accountability, one team, drive & delivery, self-manage effectively, and communicate effectively. Location Guildford, Surrey Department Payloads Role Optical Systems Engineer Locations Guildford Remote status Hybrid Employment type Full-time Job Reference 2146 Apply for this job Payloads · Guildford · Hybrid Optical Systems Engineer Loading application form Close modal Already working at Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.? Let’s recruit together and find your next colleague.
What this role is, and what else it is called
Employers in the UK advertise this kind of work as Systems Engineer, Cloud Architect, Cloud Engineer and Infrastructure Engineer too, so it is worth searching more than one wording. It is a mid-level Cloud & IT Infrastructure role in the UK, advertised without a stated working pattern, which is worth asking about.
About hiring at Sstl
Sstl appears alongside 6 other live technology roles on this source domain, across Cloud & IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity and Embedded Software & Firmware. Among 3 roles with a known arrangement, 0% are fully remote and 100% hybrid. See all Sstl roles, salaries and stack.
Detected on Sstl's careers page. ProdReady Recruitment lists this vacancy as an aggregator and is not the employer; applications go to the employer's own site.