Optical Payload Architect

About the role

AMOS (Advanced Mechanical & Optical Systems), based in Liège and part of the Belgian satellite manufacturer Aerospacelab, develops Very High Resolution (VHR) optical payloads for Earth observation satellites. It is looking for an Optical Payload Architect to define the architecture of these payloads and act as the technical authority on their design, within the VHR payload team.

Key responsibilities

• Define the payload architecture: telescope configuration, mirror substrates and lightweighting, mounts, metering structure, thermal design and focal plane.
• Define opto-mechanical design principles: isostatic mounts and flexures, athermalization, dimensional stability under launch, thermal and gravity-release loads, and alignment philosophy.
• Explore the design space in phase 0/A/B, formalize trade-offs and justify the selected concept.
• Translate mission needs (ground sampling distance, swath, spectral bands, revisit) into payload requirements and first-order budgets, including MTF, wavefront error, line-of-sight stability, radiometry and straylight, supported by first-order STOP analyses.
• Check the concept against the platform constraints: mass, power, volume, thermal, pointing and data rate.
• Act as design authority during development, arbitrate architectural changes and support the multi-disciplinary payload engineering team.
• Lead the technical content of proposals, defend the architecture against customer needs, and mentor the payload engineers.

Required profile

• Master or PhD in Physics, Aerospace, Optical or Electromechanical Engineering.
• At least 10 years in space optical instruments, including the definition phases of at least one instrument.
• Strong opto-mechanical background: mirror substrates (SiC, Zerodur, ULE), lightweighting, isostatic mounts and flexures, bonding, CFRP or Invar structures.
• Experience with VHR Earth observation instruments is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with system engineering practices and ECSS standards.
• Fluent English; French is an asset.

Required skills

• Matlab/Python and Zemax/OpticStudio.
• Ability to work with incomplete data and to explain technical choices to customers and management.

What we offer

• A permanent position.
• A flat hierarchy and fast-paced environment.
• Flexible ways of working.
• A salary package consistent with experience.