Optical Ground Station System Engineer

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly technical and experienced Optical Ground Station System Engineer to join our dynamic team in Amsterdam. This role is pivotal in designing and developing cutting-edge optical ground stations for space optical communications, including LEO, MEO, and GEO systems. You will be the technical lead, responsible for the end-to-end process from proof of concept experiments to prototype builds, and participating in ESA projects and studies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and development of optical ground stations, ensuring technical management and coordination with partners and suppliers.
• Produce concept designs, conduct trade-off analysis, and optimize optomechanical designs.
• Conduct sensitivity and reliability analysis, simulations, and design optimization.
• Advise on material and sub-component specifications, and prepare all relevant documentation.
• Support the definition of technology roadmaps and participate in conferences to stay abreast of scientific and technological trends.
• Perform SWaP-C analysis and lead requirements and use-case definitions.

What We Are Looking For:

• Experience: At least 7+ years of relevant work experience in optical ground station design and deployment.
• Technical Expertise: Proven experience with laser communications, precision optics, fine mechanics, and control systems (telescopes, optical sensors/actuators, optomechanics, etc.).
• System Engineering: Deep understanding of systems engineering processes, including requirements lifecycle, preliminary and critical design, AIV (Assembly, Integration, and Verification), and qualification.
• Environmental Monitoring: Experience in atmospheric characterization, turbulence modeling, and link availability assessments.
• Educational Background: MS or PhD in a relevant field, or equivalent experience.
• Industry Knowledge: Familiarity with the space industry, especially ESA standards, and experience in working with geographically distributed teams and partners.

What Will Help You Excel:

• Experience in the space industry and with ESA projects.
• Knowledge of optical ground station architectures, adaptive optics, and Pointing-Acquisition-and-Tracking techniques.
• Technical monitoring of partners/suppliers and procurement processes.
• Ability to travel to the US and across Europe for collaboration and conferences.
• Valid work permit for the Netherlands and willingness to relocate.

Why Join Us:

This is a unique opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects that connect satellites through advanced optical communications systems. You will be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Adam Slade