Optical Design Engineer – Next-Gen Space Communications

Location: Onsite | Ireland
Sector: Aerospace / Optical Comms / Lasercomms
Experience: Mid to Senior Level | PhD or equivalent experience preferred
Competitive salary + stock options + relocation support

A pioneering European firm at the forefront of optical communications is scaling up its engineering function ahead of major manufacturing milestones. Their core mission? To enable ultra-high-speed optical connectivity for space-based networks – helping to build the foundation for the next generation of space internet infrastructure.

With multiple programs launching this year and full-scale production beginning soon, the company is seeking an Optical Design Engineer to join their high-performance team working on cutting-edge satellite payloads, precision optical subsystems, and metrology tools.

What You’ll Do

As an Optical Design Engineer, you’ll take a key role in designing and industrializing complex optical systems for use in space. Responsibilities will include:

• Leading technical development across optical system architecture and component selection

• Designing precision optical elements such as mirrors and coated surfaces, including concave geometries

• Supporting internal prototyping, integration and alignment workflows

• Owning development and transfer of R&D systems to scalable manufacturing

• Collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers in a sprint-based environment

• Engaging with external suppliers and customers on system requirements and reviews

• Contributing to testing strategies and supporting optical alignment procedures for series production

• Documenting work for compliance and design traceability

• Supporting troubleshooting and customer support in both factory and deployed environments

• Occasional travel across Europe and North America for supplier, test, and customer interactions

What You Bring

• Deep knowledge of optical system design, ideally within the aerospace, defence, or precision instrumentation sectors

• Strong experience with optical simulation tools and CAD software (e.g. Zemax, CODE V, FRED, LightTools, etc.)

• Familiarity with manufacturing and metrology for opto-mechanical systems

• Excellent understanding of optical alignment principles, tolerancing, coatings, and free-space optics

• A background in complex, multidisciplinary projects – either academic or industry

• PhD in optics, photonics, applied physics or equivalent experience strongly preferred

• A proactive, hands-on mindset – comfortable solving open-ended challenges in an R&D-led team

• Strong communication skills, both written and spoken

Why Join?

• Be part of a company genuinely changing the future of optical connectivity in space

• Work alongside world-class scientists and engineers from across the globe

• Play a critical role in bringing research systems to life at scale

• Access long-term progression into leadership, architecture or technical specialist paths

• Stock options and benefits designed to reward long-term growth

• Located in one of Europe’s most vibrant and scenic tech hubs – with a strong outdoors and cultural community

This is a unique opportunity to get in early at a high-growth space technology company as they move from R&D into production. The work is meaningful, the challenges are ambitious, and the upside is huge.

Ready to help build the internet in space?
Apply now or message directly for an informal, confidential chat.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Adam Slade