Senior Systems Engineer (Optical) - TESAT

This position offers FULLY REMOTE opportunities for candidates across the United States. Preferred work locations: Arlington VA, Denver CO, Houston, TX or Merritt Island, FL

TESAT is a world-leading manufacturer for satellite equipment. More than 1,200 employees develop, manufacture and distribute systems and equipment for satellite communications every day. The product range spans from the smallest space-specific components to modules, entire assemblies or payloads. As the world's premier provider and technology leader of in-orbit-verified optical communication terminals for data transmission via laser, TESAT has a strong focus on optical communications. At TESAT Government (TESAT Gov) you will be delivering optical communications tailored to meet the needs of the U.S. Government.

Position Summary

TESAT Gov (an Airbus U.S. subsidiary) seeks an analytical, detail-oriented, and motivated Optical Systems Engineer that will contribute towards the development and integration of optical communication systems for space applications. In this role, you will have the opportunity to perform a variety of tasks directly impacting mission success, including system analysis, integration, and process enhancement. You will collaborate closely with expert optical psychists and engineers, providing significant autonomy and continuous feedback to support your professional growth. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of optical and/or opto-mechanical principles to ensure systems meet stringent performance requirements to support the development and integration of advanced free space optical communication systems for satellite applications.

Why TESAT Government?

At TESAT Gov, you'll engage in meaningful, cutting-edge projects that significantly contribute to national security through advanced space-based optical communications. We emphasize skill variety, task significance, autonomy, and continuous professional growth, ensuring your role is not just a job, but an impactful career opportunity. Expect to be involved in the full lifecycle of development, from requirements definition through production, integration and operations, deriving technical approaches to challenging problems with support, and communicating technically complex information in a succinct and concise manner.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

Systems Engineering and Analysis (60%)

• Communicate and collaborate with program and systems engineers, internally and externally, to accomplish technical programmatic, and internal objectives for optical communication applications.
• By conducting optical and control level-based analysis, develop technical documentation, including design specifications, interface control documents, and test plans to successfully delivery space qualified hardware for space vehicle programs.
• Perform all the necessary system engineering activities to develop, maintain, and evolve Optical Communication Terminal (OCT) products.
• Support comprehensive analyses, trade studies, and simulations to influence design decisions and optimize system performance.
• Apply modelling tools (MATLAB, Simulink) to predict system behavior and validated theoretical designs.

Requirements & Integration (20%)

• Clearly define, manage, and trace system requirements to ensure alignment with project goals.
• Coordinate closely with multidisciplinary teams for system integration, validation, and verification

Process & Internal Support (20%):

• Support evaluation of new business opportunities by conducting feasibility studies, performing technical assessments, and contributing analytical insights.
• Drive process improvement initiatives, enhancing internal documentation, methodologies, and team collaboration.
• Support internal knowledge management to ensure efficiency and consistency across engineering practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, STEM, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years relevant engineering or technical experience with a Bachelor's degree (6+ years, with a Master's degree), ideally in aerospace or defense environments.
• Space or Optical related engineering experience pertaining to the definition, development, and delivery of qualified hardware for aerospace use.
• Strong proficiency with modeling/simulation tools. (MATLAB, Simulink, Python, Etc.)
• Excellent analytical problem-solving, and clear communication skills.
• Collaborative team orientation, capable of effectively working in remote and multi-disciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant technical discipline.
• Prior experience with optical or electro-optical systems, and free-space communications, especially space-based contexts.
• Familiarity with optical design software (e.g., Zemax, Code V.)
• Programming skills for data analysis (Python, C++)

Travel Required:

• Up to 25% Domestic and International

Eligibility:

• US Citizenship is required

Clearance:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance
• Active DoD security clearance at Secret or above highly desirable

Nature of Contacts:

• Role includes involved communication with internal and external parties on a frequent basis.

Physical Requirements:

• Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents.
• Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms.
• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment.
• Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
• Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves.
• Standing: able to stand for long periods of time.
• Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces.

Equal Opportunity: Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status.

As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your resume or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to HR@airbusus.com.

www.airbusus.com