Lead Opto- Mechanical Engineer
Work with the brightest minds, including ex-ISRO scientists and global space industry experts, at one of the select few companies in the country pioneering cutting edge EO payloads.
KaleidEO is looking for a Lead Opto-Mechanical to own and lead our mechanical and thermal engineering function. You will build and manage a team of 3 - 5 engineers, set technical direction, drive delivery across multiple programs, and be the principal interface between mechanical/thermal engineering and all other disciplines. You will be hands-on where it matters - reviewing designs, resolving critical technical risks, and supporting key design reviews - but your primary responsibility is enabling your team to deliver, not executing all the work yourself.
About KaleidEO
KaleidEO, a subsidiary of SatSure, is an upstream leader in Earth Observation, building a full-stack company from India.
As an analytics-first payload innovator, we focus on building next-gen payloads tailored for industry-specific applications.
Our high-resolution, optical, multispectral payloads, equipped with edge computing and wide coverage capabilities, maximize the value generated from every pixel of satellite imagery.
Rooted in SatSure’s legacy of delivering last-mile applications across sectors like Utilities, Aviation, Agriculture, BFSI and Climate Action, KaleidEO offers modular solutions for the entire EO value chain spanning payload development, launch, mission operations, and data analytics
At KaleidEO, we are committed to shaping the future of Earth Observation and putting Indian space tech on a global map, and we invite you to be part of this exciting journey.
Roles and Responsibilities
Team leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and grow a team of 3-5 mechanical and thermal engineers.
- Own work package assignment, technical reviews, and delivery commitments for the team.
- Conduct 1:1s, support career development, and contribute to hiring and performance reviews.
- Build team capability through mentorship, structured learning, and documentation standards.
Team Ownership & Direction
- Set the technical direction for opto-mechanical and thermal engineering across all payload programs.
- Own design standards, analysis methodologies, and toolchain (Siemens NX, Ansys) for the team.
- Review and approve critical designs, FEA results, STOP analyses, and thermal budgets.
- Ensure all deliverables meet flight qualification requirements and schedule commitments.
Program & partner Interface
- Serve as the primary technical interface to payload development partners for the mechanical and thermal scope.
- Represent mechanical and thermal engineering in design reviews (PDR, CDR, MRR, IRR).
- Coordinate with the satellite/bus integration team on payload mechanical and thermal ICDs.
- Collaborate with Systems, Optical, AIT, and Electronics teams to resolve cross-discipline integration issues.
Hands-on Technical Contributions
- STOP analysis oversight - lead the structural-thermal-optical coupling analysis for major programs.
- MGSE design review - approve all ground support equipment before fabrication release.
- Environmental test strategy - define TVAC and vibration test approach; review test data and disposition anomalies.
- Alignment budget - own the system-level opto-mechanical alignment budget and manage it through the program lifecycle.
Qualifications and Skills
- B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Mechanical, Aerospace, or closely related engineering discipline.
- 8-10+ years of experience in mechanical and/or thermal engineering for precision optical instruments.
- 3+ years of demonstrated experience leading an engineering team - including work allocation, technical reviews, and mentorship.
- Proven track record leading a team through at least one full development cycle of a precision optical instrument or system (from design through integration and qualification).
- Hands-on proficiency in Siemens NX for CAD, FEA (structural + thermal), and drawing release.
- Demonstrated experience in performing FEA - model simplification, simulation, and analysis. Specifically for optical-structural performance for static deformations, modal analysis, and thermal deformation.
- Experience with opto-mechanical design: mirror/lens mounts, metering structures, alignment interfaces, tolerance analysis.
- Experience managing external partner/vendor deliverables and reviewing partner design packages.
Preferred Skills
- Experience designing for space environments: launch loads, vacuum, thermal cycling (LEO).
- Experience with precision optical payload development: telescopes, cameras, imaging spectrometers.
- STOP analysis experience - structural deflection and thermal distortion impact on WFE, image plane, and MTF.
- Experience in planning and executing environmental qualification test campaigns (TVAC, vibration, shock) and reviewing test data with model correlation.
Good to have
- Familiarity with ANSYS for complementary FEA or thermal analysis.
- Experience with composite structures, precision kinematic mounts, or flexure mechanisms.
- Basic knowledge of optical design (Zemax) to improve cross-team collaboration.
Interview Process
- Introductory call
- Technical problem solving
- Interview rounds (ideally up to 2 rounds)
- Culture Round / HR round
No of positions: 1
- Expected Month of Joining: Immediate
Benefits
Medical Health Cover for you and your family including unlimited online doctor consultations
We believe family comes first. That’s why we offer Maternity, Paternity, Marriage and Bereavement Leave, so you can be there when it matters most.
We ensure every member of the team gets an opportunity to participate at international events and conferences.
Access to mental health experts for you and your family.
