Senior Opto Mechanical Engineer

Senior Opto Mechanical Engineer, Job Ref: 2022

The opto-mechanical design team seeks an enthusiastic and committed Engineer to support the design, analysis, test and assembly of optical payloads.

Engineers at SSTL have involvement on a mission right from concept through to launch, commissioning and operational life; a true cradle to grave experience and will give you the chance to see your work in Space in a rapid timescale! This key role will often sit within the core team of a satellite mission interacting with other technical leads across multiple disciplines to generate the technical solutions for innovative projects

Key Tasks

Mechanical Engineering Tasks

Working within the Opto-Mechanical design team and with optical, electronic and Systems Engineers to develop working designs for optical systems.

Opto-mechanical system design from initial concept to detailed final design using 3D modelling tools.

Complete manufacturing drawings to enable the designs to be manufactured

Support the integration of the mechanical components in the clean rooms, support optical and environmental testing.

Maintain design logs and produce review material.

Analysis Tasks

Undertake thermal, static and dynamic structural analysis of opto-mechanical components and assemblies

Analyse optical element surface deflections and provide feedback to optical design engineers.

General Tasks

Management of Work Packages

Plan test campaigns, conduct / manage tests, analyse and present results

Detailed project planning

Support manufacturing activities liaising with suppliers

• Peer review of other team members work

Previous Experience

• Demonstrate at least 10 years’ experience on the design, build and test of opto-mechanical systems, preferably as applied to space optical payloads. Experience in other relevant areas of precision engineering may be considered.
• Relevant experience in some or all of the following areas is essential:
  • Mounting optical components, lenses, mirrors, prisms, filters, detectors etc, kinematic mounting principles
  • Materials and manufacturing processes
  • Precision engineering in harsh environments
  • Mechanical design using 3D CAD
  • Integration and test
  • FE analysis
  • Report writing
  • Costing and subcontracting
  • Customer liaison
  • Operation in a quality assured environment
  • Experience of mechanical testing
  • Delivery of work packages

Qualifications Knowledge & Skills

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar. Excellent analytical skills

Competent user of FEA package such as ANSYS Workbench or similar

Familiarity with Zernike polynomials applied to Opto-mechanical design using Sigfit or similar software

Competent use of CAD (SolidWorks or Similar)

Knowledge of drawing practice to BS8888

A good understanding of the principles and practices of FEA

Confidence to solve stress, kinematics, vibration and thermal analysis problems from first principles and the ability to grasp new technical concepts quickly.

Proven effective communication with project managers and customers

Flexible; able to work on a variety of projects

Good management, people and presentation skills

Good team working skills and communication skills

• Ability to plan and manage own work responsible for budgets and delivery of work meeting project deadlines
• Good knowledge of MS Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Microsoft Project
• Able to demonstrate company mindsets and behaviours; Be accountable, Drive & delivery, Communicate effectively, Self-manage effectively, Work as one team

Location

SSTL prides itself on being a super flexible company. The role is based in our Head Office in Guildford but we fully support hybrid working and a range of flexible working options.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes; 32 days Holiday plus Bank Holidays, Pension Scheme with Life Assurance, Private Medical & International Travel Insurance, Annual Bonus Scheme, Share Incentive Plan, Enhanced Maternity, Paternity & Shared Parental Pay for new parents, High Street Discount Scheme and many more!

Visa Support

SSTL supports applications requiring a UK Skilled Worker Visa and sponsorship is available for this role. Relocation assistance also available.