Already during his bachelor’s studies, he actively sought opportunities in space technologies and found his own way into industry practice. Today, he is a graduate of Precise Mechanics and Optics and works at the European Space Agency’s main technical centre.
Ondřej Šlajs completed his master’s studies at our institute with a focus on optics, which allowed him to combine a strong theoretical background with hands-on project work and international collaboration. During his studies, he gained practical experience at OHB Czechspace, contributing to projects connected to ESA missions. This combination of technical education, specialization in optical systems, and a proactive approach to gaining experience opened the door for him to the ESA Graduate Trainee programme.
In the interview for FME BUT, Ondřej describes his work at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, where he develops performance models of optical systems for upcoming space missions. He also shares insights into everyday life at ESA, the international working environment, and explains why studying optics and physics-based engineering disciplines provides a solid foundation for a career in space technologies.