Scientist Engineer - Silicon Pore Optics

Your (space) mission

As a Scientist Engineer at cosine, you will join a small, highly skilled team in Berlin, working at the forefront of space instrumentation and high-tech sensing solutions.

You operate in a unique environment: part startup, part established space-tech company. Backed by cosine’s strong foundation, you work with the agility and ownership of a young and growing team, where your ideas directly influence what gets built, tested and delivered.

The team develops and manufactures innovative X-ray optics based on silicon pore optics technology, with applications ranging from space science to medicine, materials research and the semiconductor industry.
Your work takes place both in the office and at the BESSY II synchrotron facility in Berlin Adlershof, where you design and execute experiments that are critical to the development and validation of advanced optical systems using soft X-rays. In addition, you contribute to mechanical work, process optimisation, equipment maintenance and technical documentation.

You play a key role in supporting the development of ESA’s NewAthena space telescope, contributing directly to technologies that will enable the next generation of space exploration.

As synchrotrons operate during evenings and weekends, some flexibility in working hours is expected. Occasional travel to our headquarters in the Netherlands or to Spain to visit the ALBA synchrotron, where we also operate a beamline, may also be required.

Tasks & responsibilities

In this role you will:

• Design, build and execute synchrotron experiments to support the development of advanced optical systems
• Analyse and interpret experimental data to optimise performance and validate results
• Perform hands-on mechanical work related to measurement and production processes
• Regular assembly of X-ray optics using synchrotron radiation, supported by in-vacuum mechanical setups and various software tools
• Work with and maintain complex experimental setups, instrumentation and measurement systems, particularly beamlines and sub-assemblies
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, solve technical challenges and collaborate closely with project managers, scientists and engineers in our international team

Your profile

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:

• MSc in Physics, Engineering or a related field (e.g. mechanical engineering, engineering physics, accelerator physics, photonics)
• Hands-on experience with experimental physics (e.g. optics, X-ray, synchrotron or similar systems)
• Comfortable working at the intersection of science and engineering
• Experience with data analysis and programming (e.g. Python or similar)
• Experience in a complex, tech-driven environment is considered a plus
• Proactive and pragmatic mindset with a hands-on attitude
• Fluent in English; German is a plus
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends
• Candidates already based in the Berlin area are strongly preferred

What we offer

At cosine, we highly value our employees, and we will support your professional and personal development. We also provide our employees with:

• A unique, international working environment at the intersection of physics and engineering
• The opportunity to deliver end-to-end solutions in autonomous project teams, in close collaboration with customers
• A competitive salary in the range of €4,700 and €5,500
• Annual bonus based on personal and company performance
• 27 days of annual leave (based on full-time employment)
• Lunch vouchers and Sachbezug20 gift card
• Berlin public transport compensation of €39/month
• Hybrid working options, including the possibility to work partly from home
• A personal development budge
• Initial one-year contract, with the aim of long-term collaboration

About cosine

Founded in 1998, cosine is a world-leading developer of space instrumentation and measurement systems, making the invisible measurable and the complex actionable.

Its expertise spans High-Energy Optics, including optics developed for ESA's future NewAthena X-ray observatory, as well as remote sensing solutions for Earth Observation and planetary science.

With over 25 years of experience and advanced cleanroom and assembly facilities across the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, cosine brings deep scientific and engineering expertise to some of the most demanding missions in space and on Earth.

What makes cosine a unique place to work is that your work goes end-to-end: from concept and design to building, testing, and delivering hardware that actually flies in space. You work in small, highly skilled teams where you have real ownership and impact, alongside experts in optics, physics, nanofabrication, and systems engineering.Â

cosine is committed to providing an inclusive and equal opportunities work environment where everyone can thrive. As a proud member of the Women in Aerospace community, we recognise the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in the workplace.