Electro-Optical (EO) Payload Systems Engineer

Location: Madrid Tres Cantos, Spain

A Joint Venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space is a global space manufacturer delivering, for more than 40 years, high-tech solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth Observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Thanks to our diversity of skills, talents and cultures, our customers (governments, institutions, space agencies, telecommunications operators), therefore have Space to Connect, Secure & Defend, Observe & Protect, Explore, Travel & Navigate.

Thales in Spain is a leader in technological solutions applied to Defence, Aeronautics, Security, Transportation and Space and, furthermore, is a global centre for excellence in Space, Security of Critical Infrastructures and Transportation. With a turnover of €320 million and a staff of 1,200, it exports approximately 40% of its total production principally to the Middle East, North Africa and Latin America.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Electro-Optical (EO) Payload Systems Engineer will be responsible for the definition, development, and validation of the image acquisition chain for space-based optical instruments based on space image sensors.

Key responsibilities include:

• System Architecture & Requirements
  • Define the architecture of the video acquisition chain.
  • Derive and specify requirements for the image acquisition chain components based on system-level needs
  • Specification of readout electronics hardware.
  • Specification of FPGA firmware for detector control and video chain interfacing.
  • Interface definition with onboard data handling systems.

• Procurement & Technical Follow-Up
  • Provide technical support during procurement of image sensors and related electronics.
  • Manage supplier technical follow-up and ensure compliance with specifications.

• Laboratory Activities & Validation Test
  • Support the integration and bring-up of the video acquisition subsystem in laboratory environments.
  • Lead the characterization of image sensors and acquisition chain performance.
  • Define and specify OGSE/EGSE for sensor testing.
  • Develop detailed test plans and measurement protocols.
  • Execute test campaigns in ISO-8/ISO-5 cleanroom environments.
  • Implement structured image processing pipelines for data analysis.
  • Generate comprehensive performance test reports.

• Integration & Support
  • Support integration of optical sensors into focal planes and interfacing with front-end electronics.
  • Provide technical assistance to manufacturing and AIT teams for sensor handling and operation.

• Documentation & Reviews
  • Prepare technical documentation for internal and external reviews.
  • Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and verification activities.

Education and Training

• Master’s degree in Engineering, ideally specialized in Electrical Engineering with a focus on electro-optical systems.

Experience and Skills

Required:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in electronics design, integration and validation.
• Experience with FPGA development (firmware development, timing/sequencing, high-speed interfaces).
• Experience in characterization test plan definition and test bench design.

Strongly Valued:

• Expertise in image sensors and readout electronics, (Visible/IR, CMOS/CCD/microbolometers).
• Practical experience with electro-optical instrumentation for lab and spacecraft-oriented development (sensor control, biasing, synchronization, acquisition).
• Solid understanding of low-noise analog and high-speed digital electronics.
• Familiarity with optical focal plane concepts and performance metrics, including radiometry and MTF (and how these translate into measurable detector/ROIC requirements).
• Experience building and using test/measurement data pipelines for sensor and readout characterization using Python and/or MATLAB

Valued:

• Experience with space qualification processes and environmental testing (TVAC, vibration).
• Familiarity with cleanroom protocols and handling of sensitive optical components.
• Familiarity with ECSS standards and space project lifecycle.
• Knowledge of EMVA Standard 1288 for image sensor characterization.
• Experience with radiation effects on detectors and mitigation strategies.

Soft Skills and Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and documentation abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Proactive and autonomous working style.
• Fluent in both Spanish and English (spoken and written); French is a plus
• Service-oriented and committed to meeting project deliverables

What do we offer?

• Flexible schedule, from 8 to 9.30 and 16.30 until 18h.
• Thales Concilia: a set of advantages and free services and others at reduced prices.
• Free and healthy canteen.
• Enjoy discounts and special promotions on products and services thanks to Club Ahorro.
• 22 working days of vacation, 6 days of free disposal and closing days that do not consume vacations at Christmas and Easter.
• Thales Flex: Personalized flexible compensation plan in which you can choose how to distribute your salary (health insurance, childcare vouchers, transportation and training).
• Annual bonus.
• Fixed profit bonus of 739,76€.
• Sharing Thales program: become a Thales shareholder.
• Hybrid work plan.
• Pension Plan with monthly contributions on your behalf to your Pension Plan.
• Wellness Plan: thematic webinars and access to our company clubs.
• Medical and physiotherapy service at the workplace.
• We continuously create an inclusive, respectful and cooperative environment.

#SPACEFORLIFE

At Thales Alenia Space we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales Alenia Space employing around 8,900 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US, our mobility policy enables employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth #SpaceForLife. Great journeys start here, apply now!