The technical qualification of optical remote sensors is largely affected by the opto-mechanical design scheme of focal plane assembly in these apparatuses. After some practical applications, a sensor-property-oriented design method is proposed. Firstly, the main requirements are confirmed in this method. Then opto-mechanical substructure is designed to satisfy these requirements by treating the sensor as optical, mechanical, electronic or thermal device. The whole opto-mechanical design scheme of focal plane assembly is developed on the substructure. Four different practical examples of this method are presented and their merits and drawbacks are explained, corresponding to four sensors’ properties. This method is claimed to be a more clearly design process and can work as a reference for opto-mechanical design of focal plane in other optical remote sensors.