Optical Remote Sensing System Engineer

Optical Remote Sensing System Engineer

Absolut Sensing

Toulouse, France

Role Summary

As an E2E Optical Remote Sensing System Engineer specializing in hyperspectral atmospheric missions, you ensure the full end‑to‑end performance of a mission designed to retrieve atmospheric variables (gases, aerosols, clouds) from spaceborne hyperspectral measurements. You oversee system‑level requirements, spectral/radiometric modeling, algorithmic performance, and in‑orbit validation to guarantee scientifically robust atmospheric products.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain E2E performance models for atmospheric retrieval missions, covering:
  • radiometry, SNR, spectral calibration, spectral smile/keystone
  • instrument–atmosphere interactions (gas absorption, scattering, path radiance)
  • sensitivity analyses for trace‑gas detection limits and aerosol optical properties
• Responsible for calibration and validation campaign : on‑ground characterization, in‑orbit spectral calibration, vicarious calibration campaigns, and cross‑mission intercomparisons.
• Contribute to define and manage system requirements for the instrument, platform, and ground segment to ensure atmospheric‑grade spectral accuracy and stability.
• Work closely with optical, detector, thermal, and system teams to maintain performance consistency under varying atmospheric conditions and viewing geometries.
• Support Data Processing Chain teams in the development of L1/L2 atmospheric processing chains, including:
  • radiometric/spectral correction
  • atmospheric correction and inversion
  • gas retrieval (e.g., CO₂, CH₄, NO₂, O₃)
• Provide performance assessments for mission science teams, feeding product validation, uncertainty budgets, and quality requirements.

About you

Required Skills

• Expertise in hyperspectral remote sensing, atmospheric radiative transfer, or spectroscopy.
• Strong background in radiometric/spectral performance modeling and uncertainty analysis.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for simulation and retrieval‑algorithm testing.
• Understanding of AOCS effects, orbital geometry, viewing angles, and atmospheric variability.
• Familiarity with atmospheric L1/L2 algorithms (gas retrieval, aerosol inversion, cloud masking).

Profile

• Master’s degree or PhD in atmospheric science, optical engineering, spectroscopy, physics, or systems engineering.
• Experience with atmospheric missions, hyperspectral instruments, or trace‑gas satellite retrievals is strongly valued.