Laser Applications Development Engineer

Oxford Lasers; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford Lasers Ltd, a high-tech laser company based in Didcot, UK, is seeking a hands-on engineer or scientist for its R&D team focusing on femtosecond laser micromachining.

You will develop precision laser micromachining processes and the hardware behind them, working with ultrashort-pulsed DPSS lasers and beam delivery, control and metrology subsystems across UV to mid-IR wavelengths. International travel may be required.

Qualifications

• BSc or higher in Lasers/ Optical Engineering, Physics, Engineering or related field.
• Practical experience with femtosecond laser applications development.
• Experience in femtosecond micromachining of materials advantageous.
• Knowledge of optical design, beam delivery, and metrology tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop laser processes for commercial, grant-funded and customer projects.
• Design and validate electro-optomechanical prototypes and photonics modules for our laser processing product range.
• Develop and maintain control software for R&D projects.
• Support the design, manufacture and integration testing of customised laser systems.
• Communicate results clearly to colleagues, customers and partners, including at international conferences and exhibitions.
• Provide technical support to the Sales and Marketing team.

Skills

Femtosecond laser dev

High-precision metrology

Laser micromachining

CNC motion control

Education

BSc or higher in Lasers/ Optical Eng

MSc/PhD in related field

Tools

ZEMAX

G-code

Aerotech

Job description

Oxford Lasers Ltd is a high technology company founded in 1977 as a spin-out from Oxford University and headquartered in Didcot, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. We design and manufacture integrated laser systems, provide subcontract laser micromachining services, have a robust research and development (R&D) division and carry out after sales services to a global customer base from both academia and industry.

Our systems span laser micromachining and high-speed imaging. They enable ultra‑high precision cutting, drilling and other microprocessing applications in advanced manufacturing industries, as well as the imaging, measurement and analysis of fast‑moving particles and sprays for industrial applications. We combine long‑standing expertise with active R&D to develop world‑leading laser technologies and techniques.

Oxford Lasers is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

The Position

We are looking for a hands‑on engineer or scientist to join our R&D team focused on femtosecond laser micromachining. You will work on process development projects funded internally, by government grants or by customers with timescales from a few weeks to several years.

You will develop precision laser micromachining processes and the hardware behind them. This involves state‑of‑the‑art DPSS lasers including ultrashort‑pulsed systems across all common industrial wavelengths from UV to mid‑IR. You will also develop and validate integrated beam delivery, control, instrumentation and metrology subsystems for next‑generation laser micro‑processing, such as tailored beam shaping, high‑speed optical scanning, CNC servo motion control, advanced image processing and diagnostics. High‑precision femtosecond processing is central to the role with particular interest in glass and photonic components. Extensive hands‑on laser micromachining experience is essential, so you can make an immediate impact. Successful developments are then progressed to higher technology readiness levels by our Engineering, Product Development, Applications and Production teams.

The position reports to the Senior Manger-Technology and the role is UK based from our headquarters in Didcot, Oxfordshire.

The role will suit a graduate, higher degree or experienced engineer with laser micromachining experience who wants to build a career in high‑tech industry. Some international travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Develop laser processes for commercial applications, grant‑funded projects and customer requirements
• Design, integrate and validate electro‑optomechanical prototypes and photonics modules for our laser processing product range
• Develop and maintain control software for R&D projects and other internal teams
• Support the design, manufacture and integration testing of customised laser systems
• Communicate results clearly to colleagues, customers and partners, including at international conferences and exhibitions
• Provide technical support to the Sales and Marketing team

Education, Experience & Skills

• BSc degree or higher in Lasers/ Optical Engineering, Physics, Engineering or similar, plus equivalent practical experience. A laser‑related postgraduate qualification (MSc, PhD) would be an advantage.
• Essential: Practical experience with femtosecond lase applications development
• Advantageous: short‑ and ultrashort‑pulsed laser micromachining of metals, ceramics, glasses and polymers
• Desirable: Knowledge of some of the following:
  • GHz/MHz burst‑pulse processing of transparent materials (glass microwelding, through‑glass via drilling, high‑aspect‑ratio zero‑kerf cutting and milling, in‑volume processing)
  • Optical systems design, ray tracing (ZEMAX or equivalent), alignment, and machine vision for OEM integration
  • Tailored beam delivery: non‑linear optics, adaptive optics, spatial light modulation, diffractionless beams, and other beam shaping technologies
  • Laser beam characterisation
  • Wet laboratory techniques including chemical etching of glass
  • Motion control hardware integration (CNC tables, controllers, amplifiers, motors)
  • Galvanometer or other optical scanners
  • Machine control programming (G‑code, Aerotech Automation‑1, CAD/CAM post‑processing)
  • Programming in C++, MATLAB, Python, or similar
  • Image processing
  • Statistical data analysis
  • CAD mechanical design (preferred)
  • Integration and test of complex laser systems
  • Metrology, optical and 3D profiling microscopes, SEM and similar
• Excellent oral communication, technical writing and presentation skills
• Multi‑tasking and proven time‑management skills
• Relevant industrial experience preferred

The Person

• Proactive self‑starter who owns tasks end to end and delivers high‑quality results
• Able to prioritise across multiple projects and meet demanding deadlines, independently or in a team
• Comfortable working autonomously in a highly technical environment alongside experienced colleagues
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting and practical problem‑solving skills, including under time pressure
• Hands‑on, adaptable and collaborative, with a positive “can‑do” attitude
• Comfortable with the breadth of an SME role, supporting wider business needs and routine tasks when required

We Offer

Oxford Lasers is a privately owned, well‑established laser technology company with almost 50 years of industry experience. Our stimulating environment offers international work with diverse customers and applications at the leading edge of our technology areas. We also offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• 25 days standard holiday (20 or 30 days available with salary adjustment)
• Group Personal Pension with tax‑efficient salary sacrifice scheme
• Private Medical Scheme (BUPA)
• Permanent health insurance and death‑in‑service benefit