Job Title: Hardware Design Engineer – LaserCom Systems
Location: Bengaluru/ On site Lalbagh
Experience: 3+ Years
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Days: Mon -Fri 9 am to 5:30 pm
Sat 9 am to 2 pm, 3rd Sat is off
About MINEL
Miniaturize Electronics Private Limited is an electronics hardware company with a strong R&D foundation focused on high-performance and mission-critical electronic systems. Established in 2024, MINEL specializes in advanced hardware engineering, embedded software, manufacturing, and integration services across industries such as Space, Aerospace, Defence, Automotive, and Industrial Electronics.
With deep expertise in electronics design, system integration, power systems, electro-optic sensor systems, RF systems, embedded solutions, and high-reliability manufacturing, MINEL delivers innovative and quality-driven engineering solutions supported by robust compliance standards and global supply chain capabilities.
MINEL operates with core values centred around Trust & Integrity, Transparency & Compliance, Innovation & Excellence, Commitment to Quality, and Agility & Intelligence.
Job Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated Hardware Engineer to develop next-generation Inter-Satellite Laser Communication (Lasercom) terminals and Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) subsystems for space applications. The engineer will be responsible for the design, integration, testing, and qualification of flight hardware including optoelectronics, precision tracking sensors, beam steering mechanisms, control electronics, and high-speed communication interfaces. This role requires close collaboration with systems, optical, firmware, software, and mechanical engineering teams to deliver high-performance, reliable hardware for satellite communication missions.
Key Responsibilities
Lasercom and PAT Hardware Development
- Design and develop hardware architectures for laser communication terminals and PAT subsystems.
- Define system requirements, interface specifications, and hardware performance budgets.
- Develop acquisition sensors, tracking sensors, beacon subsystems, and associated electronics.
- Design beam steering hardware using Fast Steering Mirrors (FSMs), gimbals, piezo actuators, and precision motion-control systems.
- Support optical terminal architecture development for long-range free-space optical communication links.
Electronics and Control Hardware
- Design analog, digital, mixed-signal, and high-speed electronics for PAT control loops.
- Develop sensor interface electronics for CCD, CMOS, quad-cell, and focal plane array detectors.
- Design motor-control and actuator-control electronics for precision pointing systems.
- Work with FPGA and embedded system teams for hardware-software integration.
System Integration and Testing
- Integrate optical, electronic, and mechanical subsystems into complete PAT assemblies.
- Develop hardware test plans, validation procedures, and qualification methodologies.
- Perform laboratory characterization of pointing accuracy, tracking stability, jitter, and acquisition performance.
Analysis and Optimization
- Conduct link-budget, pointing-error, and tracking-performance analyses.
- Evaluate hardware trade-offs for SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power, and Cost) optimization.
- Support root-cause investigations and corrective actions during development and testing.
Qualifications & Skill Set
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical/ Electronics/ Aerospace/ Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field.
- 3+ years of experience in hardware design for optical communication, aerospace, defence, EO/IR, or precision tracking systems.
Required Technical Skills
- Free Space Optical Communication (FSOC) systems.
- Laser transmitters, optical receivers, photodetectors, and beacon systems.
- Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking system design.
- Fine-pointing and coarse-pointing architectures.
- Beam steering technologies using Fast Steering Mirrors (FSM), Gimbals, Piezo actuators, Voice-coil actuators.
- Analog and mixed-signal electronics design.
- High-speed digital electronics.
- Sensor interface circuit and signal conditioning electronics design.
- Control systems and servo-loop design using MATLAB/Simulink.
- Hardware performance analysis and error budgeting.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with spaceborne, airborne, UAV, satellite, or defense optical systems.
- Experience with FPGA-based control systems.
- Familiarity with SpaceWire, MIL-STD, RS-422, Ethernet, or custom high-speed interfaces.
- Experience in precision opto-mechanical assemblies.
Desired Competencies
- Strong system engineering mindset.
- Excellent troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.
- Ability to work in multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
- Hands-on approach to prototyping, integration, and testing.
Key Deliverables
- PAT hardware architecture and detailed designs.
- Sensor and actuator control electronics.
- Lasercom terminal hardware integration.
- Tracking and acquisition performance validation.
- Qualification-ready hardware for deployment in operational environments.
Why Join MINEL?
- Opportunity to work on advanced photonics & laser technologies for high-reliability and mission-critical systems.
- Opportunity to work on advanced FPGA platforms and complex system design challenges
- Collaborative and innovation-driven engineering environment
- Exposure to advanced engineering practices and compliance frameworks
- Strong learning and growth opportunities
Pay: ₹30,000.00 - ₹40,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
