Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer
Other Engineering
Toulouse, France
Why this role is important
E-Space is building a next-generation LEO satellite constellation. At the heart of our technology are high-precision free-space optical systems designed to operate in demanding space environments. We are looking for a seasoned opto-mechanical engineer to own the mechanical development of these systems from concept through to flight.
You will lead opto-mechanical development for our space products, collaborating closely with Optics, Thermal, Electronics, Systems, AIT, and Manufacturing teams. You will work directly with suppliers and fabrication teams — embodying a design-to-manufacturing mindset — and will take designs from early engineering units through to flight hardware. The successful candidate will be based at our Toulouse, France office.
What you’ll be doing
- Design high-precision opto-mechanical assemblies using CAD and FEM tools, with a focus on active and passive optical alignment.
- Perform mechanical and thermo-mechanical analyses for high-precision assemblies under space environmental loads (vibration, shock, thermal, TVAC).
- Own designs end-to-end — from engineering units to flight hardware — including assembly fixtures, pre-assembly quality checks, and metrology plans.
- Support fabrication, assembly, and testing of flight builds, including hands-on cleanroom integration for small-volume production.
- Drive design-for-manufacturing decisions through close collaboration with CNC machining suppliers, identifying process opportunities and risks early.
- Contribute to cross-functional design reviews and represent the mechanical subsystem at program milestones.
What you bring to this role
- Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
- 10+ years of experience in mechanical and opto-mechanical engineering for space applications.
- Proficiency in 3D CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks, or equivalent) and FEM/structural analysis software.
- Experience designing for active and passive optical alignment systems.
- Hands-on experience working with CNC machining suppliers and familiarity with precision manufacturing processes.
- Track record of delivering in fast-paced, cross-functional engineering environments.
Bonus points
- Experience qualifying hardware for satellite environmental constraints (vibration, shock, thermal cycling, TVAC, cleanliness).
- Experience with precision mechanical integration in a cleanroom environment for low-volume production.
- Familiarity with satellite AI&T workflows and integration campaigns.
- Experience with optical simulation tools such as Zemax OpticStudio.