Multimodal Sensing Test Engineer

As a sensing systems architect in Helsing’s Optics Cluster, you translate complex sensing requirements into rigorous test plans and calibration workflows for EO, LWIR, and LiDAR systems. You own ground support equipment specification, test execution, and calibration traceability across the full lifecycle from prototype to service. You’ll work at the intersection of optics, electronics, embedded software, and mechanics, shaping multimodal calibration and data quality in a mission-driven team. This role offers unique, high-ambition challenges in defence-grade sensing with meaningful impact.

• Competitive salary
• VSOP options
• Relocation support
• Learning allowance
• Health & wellness benefits
• Enhanced parental leave

• Characterise EO, LWIR, and LiDAR systems using established metrics and calibrated sources
• Specify, procure, and maintain OGSE, EGSE, and MGSE with calibration traceability
• Coordinate temporal synchronisation across modalities and assess trigger latency and timestamp drift
• Execute intrinsic, extrinsic, and temporal calibration; design multimodal fiducial targets
• Produce first-article characterisation reports and evaluate sensor configurations for design trade-offs
• Develop and supervise production acceptance tests; monitor yield and manage non-conformances
• Assess new sensor suppliers; review datasheets and qualification reports and run supplier qualification campaigns
• Investigate fielded sensing failures; reproduce and determine root cause across sensor, software, and integration
• Provide sensor models, parameters, and timing data to software for sensor fusion pipelines
• Coordinate qualification sequencing with Environmental and Electrical clusters; maintain test firmware/scripts in Git
• Produce validation records for critical test tools and write usable documentation for engineers
• Apply time-synchronisation concepts and ensure traceability across modalities
• Own calibration and testing concepts that cover system-level behaviour of the multimodal suite

• Quantitative grasp of MTF, SNR, dynamic range, spectral response, and radiometric calibration for EO systems
• Experience with NETD, spatial resolution, non-uniformity correction for LWIR; radiometric calibration with blackbodies
• Understanding of ToF and FMCW LiDAR metrics; experience with point cloud formats (ROS bag, PCD)
• Hands-on time-synchronisation of heterogeneous sensor arrays using hardware triggers, PPS, and software timestamps
• Intrinsic camera calibration using OpenCV, Kalibr, or equivalent; extrinsic/temporal calibration across modalities
• Experience with OGSE/EGSE/MGSE including collimators, blackbodies, integrating spheres, and calibration targets
• Ability to derive test concepts for system-level multimodal behaviour and translate requirements into test cases with clear pass/fail criteria
• Familiarity with Jama or DOORS; Python (numpy, scipy, matplotlib, OpenCV) or MATLAB for data analysis
• Bachelor degree in optical engineering, photonics, electrical engineering (strong sensing/imaging), applied/experimental physics, aerospace with sensing component, mechatronics; MSc preferred
• Minimum 3 years hands-on test engineering in environmental, mechanical, or structural testing; experience with environmental chambers and vibration testing
• Security/controls: preference for experience in defence, dual-use, ITAR would be advantageous

• Cross-functional collaboration
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail
• Problem solving under complex constraints
• OpenCV
• Kalibr
• Jama/DOORS