Key Skills

Job Description

At S[&]T we contribute to a safer life on Earth by translating space data into valuable and actionable insights. With this, we help organizations, governments and commercial entities to strengthen their information position and thereby improve their decision-making. We focus on 4 domains: Space & Science, Defence & Security, Environment & Sustainability and the High-Tech Industry. We control all levels of the data value chain from data source to user applications, and apply our expertise within our innovations, customer projects and talent acquisition services. Our headquarters are in Delft, The Netherlands and we have two satellite offices in Oslo, Norway and Rome, Italy with a total of 125 experts employed at S[&]T. We are seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer to guide the development of advanced optical systems for challenging, high-technology applications. Working in a multidisciplinary environment, you will play a key role in transforming complex technical requirements into innovative system solutions. The systems you will work on may range from large-scale optical instruments and sensing platforms to highly miniaturized photonic and integrated optical technologies. These solutions are applied across sectors such as aerospace, environmental monitoring, industrial instrumentation, communications, semiconductor equipment, medical technologies, and emerging quantum applications. You will work closely with specialists from optics, photonics, mechanical engineering, thermal engineering, manufacturing, integration, calibration, software, electronics, and systems engineering disciplines. You will ensure that complex systems are successfully developed, integrated, and delivered while balancing technical performance, schedule, risk, and stakeholder expectations. Responsibilities As Senior Systems Engineer, you will provide technical leadership throughout the complete system development lifecycle. Key responsibilities include: Guiding the development and realization of complex optical and photonic systems. Aligning experts from multiple engineering disciplines to achieve project objectives. Taking ownership of the overall technical solution and system architecture. Translating customer needs and stakeholder requirements into achievable system designs. Managing system requirements, interfaces, verification activities, and technical trade-offs. Identifying, assessing, and mitigating technical risks throughout project execution. Driving successful system integration and delivery. Ensuring effective communication between technical teams, project leadership, customers, and external partners. Contributing to technology strategy, innovation roadmaps, and future product development. Supporting business development activities by identifying new opportunities and contributing to proposal efforts. Mentoring and coaching less experienced systems engineers while promoting engineering best practices. Requirements To be successful in this role, you combine deep technical expertise with strong systems thinking and leadership capabilities. You are comfortable operating across disciplines and guiding teams through technically demanding projects. A Master's degree or PhD in Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, Photonics, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. At least 10 years of experience in systems engineering within complex, multidisciplinary technology environments. Strong expertise in systems engineering methodologies, including: Requirements management, System architecture development, Verification and validation, Risk management and mitigation, Technical planning and estimation, Systems integration. Proven experience bringing experts from multiple disciplines together to jointly develop beyond-state-of-the art-systems. The ability to make sound technical decisions while balancing stakeholder needs, project constraints, and system performance requirements. Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills. A track record of delivering innovative, complex technology systems from concept through implementation. Experience contributing to technology development, innovation programs, or intellectual property generation. Fluent English language skills, both written and verbal. The following would be considered an advantage: Experience with optical communications, satellite payloads, space-based instrumentation, or remote sensing systems. Experience with integrated photonics or photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Experience within highly regulated or high-performance engineering environments. Experience working with low-TRL technologies and advanced R&D programs. Interested? Then click to apply or send your CV and motivational letter to [email protected]. Privacy Notice: In order to apply for this vacancy you must submit your personal information to Science [&] Technology. Science [&] Technology will collect, use, and process your personal information as mentioned in our Privacy Policy. Our policy and processing of your personal information are compliant with the GDPR. Please note that if you do not hear back from us within 10 days of your application, you may assume that we have selected another candidate we would like to interview for this position. We do our best to get back to you individually, however, due to a high volume of responses, it can be that we have not been able to reject your application in person. We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are not seeking assistance and will not be liable for any fees or charges associated with unsolicited CVs or candidate introductions. Any candidates submitted by agencies without prior written agreement will be considered our direct applicants and may be employed without obligation or fee.

Core Responsibilities

Lead the full lifecycle development of complex optical and photonic systems, including system architecture, requirements, risk management, verification, integration, and delivery. Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders, contribute to technology strategy and business development, and mentor less experienced systems engineers.

Requirements

Requires a Master's degree or PhD in a relevant engineering or physics discipline and at least 10 years of systems engineering experience in complex, multidisciplinary technology environments. Candidates should have strong systems engineering expertise, a record of delivering innovative systems, excellent communication and stakeholder skills, and fluent English; experience in optical communications, satellite systems, integrated photonics, or advanced R&D is advantageous.