LEAD – OPTICAL PAYLOAD AIT (ASSEMBLY, INTEGRATION & TESTING)

About Us Join a team that is redefining the accessibility of space. Azista space is a transformative force in the global aerospace sector, uniquely positioned at the intersection of indigenous innovation and industrial scalability. Operating India’s first private-sector satellite mass-production facility in Ahmedabad, we have bridged the gap between complex engineering and high-volume manufacturing. As a vertically integrated leader, we provide end-to-end solutions from the precision design of satellite buses and advanced payloads to mission management and communication systems. We don’t just build hardware, we are democratizing the final frontier by providing global clientele with the cost-effective, high-performance technology needed to power the next generation of orbital missions. At Azista, you won't just be starting a job, you’ll be fuelling the future of space exploration.

Role Overview We are seeking a Senior Lead - Optical Payload AIT to drive the assembly, integration, alignment, calibration and qualification testing of advanced spaceborne optical payloads for Earth Observation and Remote Sensing missions. This is a technical leadership role requiring deep expertise in: Optical system integration. High-precision alignment. Payload calibration. Environmental qualification (TVAC / Vibration / Shock). Space standards compliance (ECSS / NASA / ISRO). You will work cross-functionally with optics, mechanical, electronics, systems engineering, QA and mission teams to ensure payload performance meets mission requirements.

Responsibilities: Lead end-to-end Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) of spaceborne optical payloads for Earth Observation and Remote Sensing missions, including precision alignment, calibration and performance verification. Define, develop and execute comprehensive optical test and qualification procedures, covering image quality characterization (MTF, EFL, distortion, wavefront error), radiometric and spectral calibration, stray-light evaluation, and environmental testing (Thermal Vacuum – TVAC, vibration and shock). Develop and implement high-precision optical metrology and alignment methodologies using interferometers, theodolites, autocollimators, alignment telescopes and collimators, including focal plane array (FPA) alignment and detector integration. Collaborate with optical design, mechanical, electronics and systems engineering teams to define AIT requirements, optical tolerances, verification strategies and performance budgets during the design and development phase. Prepare and maintain detailed AIT documentation, test procedures, calibration reports and performance validation records, ensuring full traceability and compliance with ECSS / NASA / ISRO or equivalent space standards. Plan, coordinate and execute environmental test campaigns (TVAC, vibration, shock), interfacing with internal teams, external test facilities, customers and project stakeholders. Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians in AIT practices, optical integration workflows, cleanroom operations and contamination control protocols. Support procurement and development of specialized AIT tooling, ground support equipment (GSE) and optical test infrastructure, while driving continuous improvement in AIT methodologies, metrology capability and test efficiency.

Required Skills & Qualifications: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Applied Optics, Physics or related discipline. 10+ years of experience working with optical systems, including 5+ years specifically in Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) of optical payloads or spaceborne instruments. Strong hands-on expertise with optical metrology and precision alignment instrumentation, including interferometers, theodolites, autocollimators, alignment telescopes, collimators and spectroradiometers. Proven experience in integration, alignment, calibration and qualification of complex imaging systems and large-aperture optical assemblies. Strong understanding of optical design principles, tolerancing, stray-light behaviour, wavefront error, imaging performance budgets and system-level error analysis. Experience with focal plane arrays (FPA), detectors and associated electronics integration, including focal plane alignment methodologies. Exposure to Structural-Thermal-Optical Performance (STOP) analysis and system-level performance validation. Practical experience in planning and executing environmental qualification campaigns, including Thermal Vacuum (TVAC), vibration, shock and EMI/EMC testing. Familiarity with applicable space qualification standards (ECSS / NASA / ISRO or equivalent). Proficiency with optical simulation and analysis tools such as Zemax or Code V, and strong capability in MATLAB / Python for data processing, test automation and optical performance analysis. Experience with cleanroom assembly practices, contamination control protocols and precision handling of flight hardware. Technical expertise in: Optical metrology instrumentation AIT workflows and calibration processes Environmental testing and qualification procedures Optical simulation and performance modelling Data reduction and analysis pipelines Strong leadership, problem-solving, documentation and cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to mentor junior engineers and interface with customers and test facilities. Prior experience working on ISRO, ESA, NASA or commercial satellite missions is highly desirable.