Optical Technology Engineer

Description

Optical Technology Engineer in the Optical Technologies Section Ground Station Engineering Division Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department Directorate of Operations.

The Optical Technologies Section provides engineering matrix support to ESA programmes and leads the development of ground-based optical assets and standardisation and technology research and development (R&D) in the competence domain of optics for ground-based optical applications as well as project management of subsequent operational technology introduction. The Sections activities cover the development of novel optical ground stations and related optical systems for optical space debris/near-Earth object observation satellite and space debris laser ranging and momentum transfer optical (quantum-) communication and optical frequency and timing generation and distribution.

The Optical Technologies Section is responsible for developing a broad range of key technology building blocks addressing optical ground systems such as telescopes adaptive optics free-space laser transmitters single-photon detectors time-tagged receivers and high-rate data receivers as well as fully autonomous optical ground stations.

Duties

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Optical Technologies Section you will be responsible for the development and engineering activities relating to optical ground stations for communication surveillance and tracking applications including optical telescope system design and optical subsystems and for the following specific tasks:

• Roadmapping optical technology developments and the introduction of new capabilities for space missions from low to high technology readiness levels;
• Introducing deep-space optical communication into space missions;
• Supporting the integration of direct-with-Earth optical communication systems into ground infrastructure for telecommunication and payload data-download applications;
• Supporting space situational awareness optical ground station technology definition and associated pre-development activities;
• Specification development procurement and validation of analogue/digital subsystems including trade-off analysis required for passive and active optical systems in particular optical transmitters optical detectors quantum technology and adaptive optics systems;
• Conducting study and technology development and standardisation activities
• Conducting internal/external studies and prototyping in the field of optical technology;
• Managing industrial contracts for the above.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.

Education

A masters degree in engineering physics or space communication system engineering is required for this post.