Optical Engineer vacatures bij Science and Technology

Delft

Full time (40 hours per week)

Senior

About this job

We are currently looking for a Senior Optical Designer to join the team in Delft .

As a Senior Optical Designer, you will be the technical lead for high-end optical systems used in space, defense, and high-tech industries. You will guide the process from the initial "dream" or requirement phase through to the final, detailed design and the plan for how to actually build and align it. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys the balance between deep technical simulation and leading a small, talented team of designers.

Senior Optical Designer

Main responsibilities

• Lead the optical design process from requirements discovery and budget allocation to final, tolerance design and alignment plans.
• Execute complex analyses including straylight, polarization, diffraction, and STOP (structural, thermal, and optical performance) analysis (checking how structural and thermal changes affect optical performance).
• Direct a small team of designers on larger projects, providing coaching to more junior members and fostering innovation.
• Collaborate across disciplines , working closely with System Engineers and Project Managers to ensure all technical and financial goals are met.
• Document and communicate progress and results clearly to stakeholders, ensuring high-quality technical documentation is maintained.

Requirements

• A Master's or PhD degree in Optical Physics or Optical Engineering.
• At least 10 years of professional experience with a proven track record in complex optical design.
• Expert proficiency with Ansys Zemax OpticStudio and/or CodeV .
• Strong programming skills in Python or Matlab for analysis and automation.
• Proven ability to lead a team and manage project tasks and budgets effectively.
• Experience with Thermal Infrared (TIR) instruments is highly preferred.
• Experience or affinity with AI, integrated photonics, or nanophotonics is a big plus.
• Fluent in English , with strong communication skills for an international environment.

Please note that if you do not hear back from us within 10 days of your application, you may assume that we have selected another candidate we would like to interview for this position. We do our best to get back to you individually; however, due to a high volume of responses, it can be that we have not been able to reject your application in person.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are not seeking assistance and will not be liable for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited CVs or candidate introductions.

Are you enthusiastic about becoming our new Senior Optical Engineer?

Apply via our application form, or send your CV and motivational letter directly to .

Our story

At S[&]T we contribute to a safer life on earth by translating space data into valuable and actionable insights. We oversee data from instruments to application, and apply our expertise within our software frameworks, information products and consultancy.

Our society relies on space and scientific instruments for climate change monitoring, navigation, defence and national security, and other crucial services we all use in our daily lives. These instruments produce an enormous quantity of complex data, and our goal is to unlock its value.

We have more than 20 years of experience working on instrument calibration, the creation of data quality monitoring tools, the development of real-time data processing frameworks, and the development of application-specific algorithms. With this, we help organisations, governments and industries to strengthen their information position and thereby improve their decision making. We focus on the following domains: Space & Science, Defence & Security, Environment & Sustainability, and High-Tech Consulting.

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How to apply

Would you like to hear more? Send your CV and motivational letter to or apply directly through our website.

Kindly note that acquisition from third parties (e.g. agencies) based on this vacancy is not welcome.

Contact S[&]T