Role & responsibilities

We are looking for a Telescope Payload Design Engineer with 5 to 9 years of hands-on experience in the design, optical modeling, opto-mechanical integration and flight qualification of high-resolution spaceborne telescopes and defense optical payloads. You will own end-to-end reflective, refractive and catadioptric optical architectures (Ritchey-Chrtien, Korsch, Off-Axis TMA, Cassegrain) for small-satellite Earth Observation payloads, space surveillance and long-range defense tracking platforms.

Key Responsibilities

- Architect, optimize and evaluate reflective (on-axis/off-axis), refractive and catadioptric telescope systems for VIS/SWIR/MWIR remote sensing and ground-based tactical systems
- Perform ray tracing, diffraction analysis, wavefront error (WFE) budgeting, stray light/ghost analysis and tolerance budgeting using Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, FRED or LightTools
- Work with opto-mechanical engineers on lightweight mirror structures (SiC, Zerodur, fused silica), kinematic mounts, invar metering structures and thermally stable housings
- Model thermal-optical behavior in orbit and ensure diffraction-limited performance through athermal design
- Lead cleanroom optical bench alignment and assembly using autocollimators, laser interferometers and Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensors
- Plan and execute TVAC, random vibration, shock and EMI/EMC testing per ISRO and MIL-STD-810G standards
- Measure MTF, encircled energy, Strehl ratio,



distortion and relative illumination on assembled payloads
- Coordinate with detector, electronics, ADCS and program teams and external labs (ISRO, DRDO, IN-SPACe)

Required Skills

- 5 to 9 years in design, optical modeling, precision alignment or qualification of telescope assemblies, space camera payloads or military long-range optical systems
- High proficiency in Zemax OpticStudio (sequential and non-sequential) or CODE V, including Monte Carlo tolerance analysis
- Strong knowledge of mirror fabrication, optical coatings (dielectric, metallic, AR/HR), surface figure errors and precision mounting
- Hands-on with interferometric testing (Zygo / 4D), collimators, theodolites and MTF test stations
- Python / MATLAB for wavefront analysis, image quality metrics and automated test control

Good to Have

- Experience on ISRO, CubeSat or defense imaging satellite payloads (e.g., Cartosat, OceanSat, tactical ISR cameras)
- Familiarity with PAT optics, quick steering mirrors (FSM) or high-power laser beam expanders/combiners

Preferred candidate profile

How to Apply

Candidate Application Form (Apply Here): https://lnkd.in/gJBGy82c

Or send your resume to [email protected] with the role name as the subject, CC: [email protected]

Please share: current location, current salary, expected salary, notice period.

Sincerely

Sneha Rajesh .

📌 Lead Engineer Telescope Payload Design (Chennai)
🏢 Fortune Consultancy
📍 Chennai