Space Imaging Systems Chief Engineer

Eoptic is a leader in advanced imaging and optical systems, delivering multispectral and digital solutions for defense, industrial, and commercial applications. We combine imaging products with software, ML/AIand complex system integration. Our mission is to integrate multi-modal hardware with purpose-built software to deliver actionable data.

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Our space business is rapidly scaling from first flight units toward volume production of EO/IR imaging payloads. We are seeking an experienced Space Imaging Systems Chief Engineer to own the technical success of every payload we deliver to orbit. 

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Role summary

The Space Imaging Systems Chief Engineer is the technical authority for Eoptic's space imaging payloads, from concept through on-orbit commissioning. This role owns payload architecture, leads the optical, mechanical, electrical and thermal engineering teams, and drives key technical decisions to balance performance, schedule, and cost. 

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Eoptic is seeking an experienced engineer who has directly contributed to the design, testing, and launch of EO/IR imaging payloads. The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience across key elements of payload development, including telescope design, in-house focal plane readout electronics, IR detector integration, alignment, environmental qualification, and production. 

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This position reports to the VP of Engineering and works closely with the Director of Space Programs. The Director of Space Programs is responsible for program cost, schedule, and customer relationships, while the Space Imaging Systems Chief Engineer owns technical performance and execution. 

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Key responsibilities

• Technical authority:   Own the payload system architecture and requirements flow-down from mission needs to subsystem specs. Make the final call on design trades, managing the technical risk register, and approving all technical baselines within program requirements. 
• Optical and telescope design: Manage the design, tolerancing and stray-light analysis of the telescope and imaging optics, including monolithic and reflective designs for MWIR/LWIR and visible bands. 
• Focal plane readout electronics: Manage development of Eoptic's own readout and camera electronics built directly around the imaging focal plane array. That covers the ROIC interface, bias and clock generation, low-noise analog front ends and ADCs, FPGA-based timing, data formatting and high-speed output, and power conditioning. Drive noise, linearity, dynamic range and frame-rate performance down to the detector level. 
• Sensor integration: Direct integration and alignment of focal plane assemblies with the telescope. This includes dewar and cryocooler interfaces, cryogenic flex and harnessing, and focus and boresight alignment. 
• Radiometric performance:   Define and verify image quality and radiometric budgets (MTF, NETD, SNR, GSD, pointing and jitter). Own calibration methods for non-uniformity correction and on-orbit radiometric calibration. 
• Environmental qualification: Plan and run thermal-vacuum, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC and radiation testing. Lead thermal and structural analysis (STOP) to keep focus and alignment stable across operating conditions. 
• Design reviews and customer interface: Lead SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR and PSR. Serve as the lead technical contact for customers and primes, and support proposals, SOWs and cost/schedule estimates. 
• Design for production: Move payloads from prototype to repeatable manufacturing. Set alignment, test and acceptance processes that can scale to hundreds of units a year. 
• Team leadership: Hire, mentor and lead a multidisciplinary engineering team spanning optics, mechanical, and analog, digital and FPGA electronics. Set engineering standards, configuration managementand documentation practices. 
• Suppliers: Qualify and manage detector/FPA, optics, cryocooler and electronics suppliers. Resolve technical issues with them. 

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Required qualifications

Space-based  EO/IR experience is mandatory.  Candidates without hands-on design, integration, qualification and launch experience on space-based EO/IR payloads will not be considered. 

• BS in Optical Engineering, Imaging Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field. 
• 15+ years in EO/IR system development, with 5+ years as chief engineer, system architect or technical lead. 
• Space-based   EO/IR: Direct technical ownership of at least one space-based EO/IR imaging payload through design, integration, environmental qualification, launch and on-orbit commissioning, ideally on smallsat or ESPA-class buses. That includes MWIR and/or LWIR imaging, on-orbit calibration and pointing/jitter performance. 
• Hands-on experience designing or leading development of focal plane readout electronics: ROIC interfacing, detector bias and clocking, low-noise analog signal chains and ADCs, and FPGA-based timing and data handling. Deep knowledge of IR focal plane arrays, cooled detectors, cryocoolers and IR optical materials. 
• Hands-on skill with optical design and analysis tools (Zemax/OpticStudio or CODE V) and with radiometric and image-quality modeling. 
• Experience taking hardware through environmental qualification and formal design reviews for defense or aerospace customers. 
• Proven ability to lead cross-disciplinary teams and to explain technical trades to customers and executives. 
• U.S. Person status under U.S. export laws, and the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. 

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Preferred qualifications

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Imaging Science, Optics or Physics. 
• Airborne EO/IR: fielded airborne systems such as gimbaled turrets, ISR pods, targeting systems or UAS payloads, including stabilization and line-of-sight control. 
• Experience building camera electronics around bare FPAs from vendors such as Teledyne, Lynred, SCD or L3Harris, and integrating complete cooled MWIR/LWIR cameras into a telescope. Radiation-tolerant FPGA and electronics design for space (e.g., Xilinx/AMD space-grade or Microchip RTG4/RT PolarFire). 
• Experience with monolithic, freeform or diamond-turned telescope optics. 
• Knowledge of space standards and processes: GSFC-STD-7000 (GEVS), SMC-S-016, outgassing and contamination control, and radiation-tolerant electronics. 
• Structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP) analysis with tools such as Ansys, Thermal Desktop or NX Space Systems Thermal. 
• Background in onboard image processing or edge AI for detection and tracking. 
• Active security clearance. 
• Experience growing an engineering team inside a small, fast-moving company. 

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Export control:  This position requires access to technology, materials, software or hardware controlled by U.S. export laws. Candidates must be a U.S. Person under U.S. export laws (or eligible for approval under a U.S. Government export license).

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Travel:  Up to 25%, to customer sites, suppliers and environmental test facilities. 

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About Us

Eoptic is a leader in advanced imaging and optical systems, delivering multispectral and digital solutions for defense, industrial, and commercial applications. Based in Rochester, NY, Eoptic integrates cutting-edge optical technologies to address today's most complex challenges, from design to full-scale deployment. For more information, visit  

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Eoptic is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.