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MAIT Optical Engineer - Space Laser Communication

Posted 29 Sep 2025
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Work experience
5 to 20 years
Full-time / part-time
Full-time
Job function
Degree level
Required language
English (Fluent)

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We are currently looking for a MAIT Optical Engineer to join the team in Delft.

As a MAIT Optical Engineer, you will contribute to the manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing (MAIT) of cutting-edge optical systems for space-based laser communication. You will design and carry out optical tests, alignments, and calibrations to ensure the systems meet demanding performance requirements for space environments.

Job details

Main responsibilities

  • Develop comprehensive optical test plans for both component-level and system-level verification.
  • Define test setups, including lasers, detectors, alignment tools, and environmental conditions.
  • Prepare detailed procedures for optical alignment, calibration, and performance verification.
  • Build optical setups and conduct tests such as beam profiling, wavefront sensing, throughput and insertion loss, as well as assessing pointing accuracy and jitter.
  • Perform precise alignment and calibration of optical subsystems using lasers, collimators, and fibers.
  • Carry out environmental testing (e.g., thermal vacuum) to confirm optical performance under space conditions.
  • Review optical designs for manufacturability, alignment strategy, testability, and technical performance (e.g., telescopes, fiber coupling, detector performance).
  • Define critical optical performance parameters, including wavefront error, throughput, and alignment tolerances.
  • Document all procedures and results in clear and structured test reports.

Requirements

  • BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience as an Optical Engineer in a multidisciplinary environment.
  • Strong understanding of optical testing, alignment, and calibration techniques.
  • Proficiency in optical design software such as Zemax (or equivalent).
  • Able to work independently while clearly communicating technical findings.
  • Proactive, enthusiastic, flexible, and persistent in tackling challenges.
  • Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Are you enthusiastic about becoming our new MAIT Optical Engineer?

Send your CV and motivational letter directly to recruitment@stcorp.nl.

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.

Sensing problems. Developing solutions.
Our Sensing and Control Systems provide new insights and access to what is happening in harsh environments. Scientific Data Processing ensures that you get the most out of the world's most under-utilized precious resource: data. We can then turn that data into smart decisions with our Intelligent Software Applications. Or if you need on-site support, we have…


Sensing problems. Developing solutions.
Our Sensing and Control Systems provide new insights and access to what is happening in harsh environments. Scientific Data Processing ensures that you get the most out of the world's most under-utilized precious resource: data. We can then turn that data into smart decisions with our Intelligent Software Applications. Or if you need on-site support, we have the brightest minds and greatest people in Technical Consulting for R&D.

Taking the R&D Journey Together
Research and development projects are usually long-term investments in complex systems involving stringent requirements, formalized relationship structures and interfaces, and highly impactful project phases and team scaling. It is important to have an experienced partner that is in it for the long haul. At S[&]T, we are relationship driven, and think not only about the first steps toward partnership, but the long-term win-win-win. We have flexible methods of partnering, and are able to support R&D via projects, personnel and products, depending on which method provides the best solution. Our open communication style and people-driven methods create smooth interfaces and ensure that we are a dependable partner through thick and thin.

Meant to be at S[&]T
At S[&]T, relationships always come first, and we treat our employees like we would like to be treated. We understand that smart people need flexibility, challenging projects, open communication and a motivating career path. If you would like to choose your own adventure when it comes to building a role that is right for you, we are here to support you along the way. Our flat structure and direct connections in a variety of R&D settings provides you with plenty of opportunity, while we also work hard to ensure that we create a fun environment along the way.

Aerospace & Defence
Delft
150 employees