hbo vacatures in Maasdam

Optical Engineer

Software Engineering

Posted on Jan 26, 2026

Job description

We are looking for an Optical Engineers to complete our consultants Workforce Management Service to support the Optics, Robotics and Life Science Division of the European Space Agency (ESA) at their location in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

The purpose of this Service is to support ground and space payload, spacecraft and launcher development projects, including but not limited to concurrent design activities, industry technical follow‑up, design review participation and shadow engineering. The Service will also provide support in technology development activities.

The Optical Engineers will work within the Optics Section, which provides functional support to ESA missions and carries out research and development activities in optics for space applications. The Section's work covers the development of novel optical systems such as spectro‑radiometric imaging instruments operating from the UV to the infrared, interferometric systems, and the related optical ground equipment. In addition, the Optics Section is responsible for advancing technologies related to optical components and processes, including polarisers, gratings, coatings, polishing methodologies and high‑precision optical metrology, as well as supporting the development of enabling technologies for future X‑ray space telescopes.

Please note, the successful candidate will be employed by ATG Europe (or one of its subsidiaries). Furthermore, upon selection, they will be subject to a general security screening performed by an external provider (further information will be provided at the interview stage).

The successful candidate will be tasked with, but not limited to:

• Support R&D activities related to Optical Communication technologies;

• Support project review and development progress follow up for optical communication payloads onboarded on ESA missions;

• Define, design and establish performance budgets and performance analysis of optical and quantum communication test set-ups;

• Procure and commission technical parts and devices for laboratory setups;

• Carry out the assembly, verification and maintenance of opto-electronic test setups;

• Carry out laboratory hardware control programming (eg. Matlab, Simulink, Python);

• Perform independent execution of optical tests in the opto-electronics laboratory on components and systems related to optical and quantum communication, lasers and detectors, high-speed (>100 Gbs) communication equipment (for coherent transmission) and digital signal processing (DSP);

• Provide expert technical support to ESA projects and studies for the development of opto-electronic components and subsystems throughout all project phases;

• Support the development of opto-electronic technologies and subsystems with emphasis on testing, verification and calibration;

• Define and follow-up on instrument on-ground test and calibration activities and in-orbit commissioning;

• Evaluate procurement proposals.

ATG is dedicated to diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, handicap, or any other reason protected by relevant state or municipal legislation, we are pleased to consider all eligible candidates for employment.

Job requirements

Please ensure that your CV clearly explains how you meet the mandatory requirements . If it doesn't align completely with the essential criteria, it could result in rejection.

• Master's Degree or equivalent qualification in Experimental or Applied Physics, Applied Optics, or Optical Engineering;

• General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position;

• At least 4 years of relevant working experience in precision optical measurements at system, sub-assembly and component level;

• At least 4 years of relevant working experience in precision photonics measurements including high power lasers at system, sub-assembly and component level;

• Experience with optical design, optical performance assessment and generic data analysis, including the use of associated software tools;

• Knowledge of optical design and performance analysis software is required;

• Understanding of the relevant technologies required for optical instrumentation, together with knowledge of current

• R&D trends and the industrial landscape;

• Experience with test activity execution and test report preparation;

• Experience with test procedure development and maintenance;

• Experience with laboratory management;

• Experience with inventory database, calibration and maintenance plan preparation;

• Experience with routine tests on microsectioning and sample preparation (SMT, PCB, metallic, ceramic, glasses, CFRP, welds/brazes);

• Fair experience of people management;

• Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the EU;

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.