Senior Optical Systems Engineer

About the Role

Creotech Instruments S.A. is seeking a Senior Optical Systems Engineer to lead the development of advanced optical instruments and payloads for space applications. In this role, you will drive system-level engineering activities across the full project lifecycle, working closely with multidisciplinary teams, customers, and suppliers to deliver high-performance space systems. This position offers significant technical ownership, exposure to cutting-edge space missions, and the opportunity to shape the future of spaceborne optical technologies. The role can be based in Kraków or Warsaw, Poland, with the option of partial remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor optical systems engineering activities of optical instruments and payloads throughout the full project lifecycle, from mission and user needs analysis, system architecture definition, requirements engineering, trade-off studies, implementation, integration, verification, validation, and operational support. Translate customer and observation requirements into technical solutions and ensure complete requirements traceability and compliance,
• Serve as the technical authority for optical payloads, overseeing instrument design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, and operational performance. Define and manage technical budgets including optical performance, SNR, MTF, pointing accuracy, stability, data volume, and data rate budgets, while conducting engineering analyses, simulations, and feasibility assessments to support key design decisions,
• Provide technical leadership and supplier management for optical payload subcontractors and external partners by evaluating technical solutions, defining Statements of Work, reviewing technical documentation and data packages, conducting supplier assessments and audits, and ensuring compliance with project requirements and industry standards,
• Drive project execution by identifying technical risks, developing mitigation strategies, resolving engineering challenges, anticipating bottlenecks, and ensuring timely delivery of project objectives. Support major project milestones and reviews, including PDR, CDR, TRR, qualification, acceptance, and operational readiness activities,
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams including optics, mechanics, electronics, software, image processing, ground segment, and mission operations engineers to ensure successful system development, integration, commissioning, and long-term operational performance. Support anomaly investigations, root cause analyses, and continuous improvement activities,
• Contribute to business development and customer engagement activities by supporting proposal preparation, technical bid responses, solution definition, customer meetings, technical reviews, and project workshops. Effectively communicate technical recommendations, project status, risks, and engineering outcomes to internal and external stakeholders,
• Mentor and support less experienced engineers, contribute to recruitment and onboarding activities, promote engineering best practices, and actively participate in the continuous improvement of tools, processes, methodologies, and technical capabilities across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Master's or PhD’s degree in Optical Engineering, Optoelectronics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline,
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in space optical instruments, electro-optical systems, remote sensing payloads, or a comparable optical engineering field,
• Strong knowledge of optical system design, optical payload development, and systems engineering processes,
• Experience performing system-level analyses, trade-off studies, and technical budgeting activities,
• Practical experience with definition, integration, verification, validation, and testing of complex engineering systems,
• Ability to define, manage, and verify system requirements throughout the project lifecycle,
• Demonstrated project leadership and coordination skills within multidisciplinary engineering environments,
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities,
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills,
• Professional proficiency in English,
• Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating within international and
• multidisciplinary teams,
• Experience working in a dynamic, project-driven environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the aerospace, space, defense, automotive, or other high-technology industries,
• Knowledge of ECSS, ISO, NASA standards, or comparable engineering frameworks,
• Experience with optical performance modeling and analysis tools,
• Knowledge of systems engineering methodologies, including MBSE and requirements management tools,
• Experience with optical imaging systems, Earth observation instruments, or remote sensing payloads,
• Experience with infrared imaging systems and components,
• Familiarity with image processing and exploitation of optical data products,
• Experience working with precision electro-optical equipment,
• Exposure to spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and launch campaign support,
• Experience working in international projects, consortia, or customer-facing technical roles,
• Relevant professional certifications in systems engineering or project management.

What We Are Looking For

• Technical leadership and ownership mindset,
• Ability to make informed decisions in complex engineering environments,
• Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills,
• Proactive and solution-oriented approach to engineering challenges,
• Curiosity and commitment to continuous learning and professional growth,
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and project needs,
• Passion for space technology, optical systems, and engineering excellence,
• Commitment to quality, reliability, and delivering successful mission outcomes.