Manager

X

Earth Observation Future Missions Optical Payload Engineer - Emerging Sensing Technologies

Job Requisition ID: 20355

Date Posted: 5 October 2026

Closing Date: 26 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace:

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Earth Observation (EO) Future Missions Optical Payload Engineer - Emerging Sensing Technologies in the Optical Instruments Section, Future Missions and Instruments Division, Future Missions and Architecture Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Reporting to the Head of the Optical Instruments Section, you will be responsible for the end-to-end definition, engineering, technology breadboarding and pre-development of innovative optical payload systems for EO future missions. These systems will leverage emerging sensing technologies, such as quantum sensors, photonic sensors, freeform optics and miniaturised cameras or spectrometers. You will also work on optical payloads based on more classical optical systems, including imagers and spectrometers. Your role will involve collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the successful integration of innovative technologies into future payload concepts.

You will be responsible for identifying and investigating new observation principles and technologies, maintaining awareness of relevant R&D activities, and coordinating with both internal and external partners. You will contribute to defining the roadmap for these technologies and will be actively involved in the pre-development of one or more of them. You will be appointed as the instrument lead for a future mission during Phase 0 or Phase A.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following: - identifying and investigating new observation principles and techniques related to emerging sensing technologies for ...