Head of Laser Systems Engineering

Enterprise Recruitment Ltd; Oxford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing technology firm in Oxford is seeking a Systems Engineering Lead to guide a talented team of physicists and engineers. In this role, you will shape the architectural direction of complex laser-based systems, ensuring a smooth transition from R&D to production. Strong leadership experience and a background in physics or laser engineering are essential. Join a well-funded company where your contributions can drive significant impact in a collaborative environment focused on innovation and growth.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Systems engineering experience across hardware, optics/lasers or control systems.
• Proven ability to take products through NPD/NPI into manufacture.

Responsibilities

• Guide how laser, optical, mechanical, and control elements come together.
• Set architectural direction and support hands-on engineering.
• Move ideas from R&D into production and tighten NPD/NPI processes.

Skills

Leadership

Systems engineering

Team collaboration

Education

Background in physics, photonics, or laser-based engineering

Job description

If you’re looking for a role where your work genuinely shapes the direction of a growing technology team, this one offers the chance to lead a talented group of physicists and mechanical engineers while steering complex laser‑based systems from development into full manufacturing.

You’d be joining a small but well‑funded organisation of just over twenty people, with strong backing and founders who are recognised experts in their field. It’s a place where you’ll have influence, visibility and the freedom to make a real difference.

In this role you’ll take ownership of the systems function, guiding how laser, optical, mechanical and control elements come together into a cohesive system. You’ll set the architectural direction, support hands‑on engineering decisions, and provide the leadership and structure the team needs as the technology scales.

Collaboration is key and you’ll work directly with the founders, wider engineering groups, suppliers and early customers to shape how new variants are developed and delivered.

A major part of the job will centre on moving ideas from R&D into production, tightening NPD/NPI processes, improving test and validation approaches, and ensuring the engineering output is consistent, safe and ready for manufacturing.

It’s a role suited to someone who enjoys combining technical depth with team leadership in an environment where the roadmap is ambitious and evolving quickly.

We are looking for:

• Background in physics, photonics or laser‑based engineering
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Systems engineering experience across hardware, optics/lasers or control systems
• Proven ability to take products through NPD/NPI into manufacture
• Ability to define and own system‑level architecture and specifications