Laser Engineer (All Levels)

TN United Kingdom; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Laser Engineer to join a world-class optics and laser development team in Edinburgh. This exciting role involves developing cutting-edge solid-state laser designs and investigating new technologies to address emerging business opportunities. You'll take ownership of laser design development and apply computational modelling techniques in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. With a commitment to innovation and employee well-being, this company offers flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package, making it an ideal place to advance your career in defence electronics.

Benefits

Private healthcare

Dental schemes

Flexible working hours

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension scheme with employer contribution

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounted gym memberships

Access to online courses via Coursera

Referral incentive

Bonus scheme for eligible employees

Qualifications

• Experience in laser product development and applied research environments.
• Ownership of a manufactured laser design, with strong analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop compact and efficient solid-state laser designs.
• Investigate new technologies and engineering capabilities for business opportunities.

Skills

Laser product development

Laser physics

Analytical skills

Technical proposal writing

Project budgeting

Team leadership

Fibre laser systems

Education

Master’s degree in Physics

PhD in related field

Job description

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At Leonardo, we have a fantastic new opportunity for a Laser Engineer (All Levels). Leonardo is a global leader in defence electronics and delivers mission-critical systems for situational awareness, electronic warfare, and surveillance across land, sea, and air.

The Radar and Advanced Targeting line of business, based in Edinburgh, is one of the world's top manufacturers of radars, lasers, and infra-red countermeasure systems. You will join a world-class optics and laser development team providing cutting-edge solutions to the global defence sector. The product range includes targeting lasers, stabilised laser delivery systems, electro-optic imaging, and surveillance systems.

This position has been created during an exciting period of technological development and business growth, with Leonardo leading the design and manufacturing of the next generation of compact, sophisticated lasers for emerging defence applications.

As a Laser Engineer, you will be part of a specialist team developing compact and efficient solid-state laser designs. Your responsibilities include investigating new technologies and engineering capabilities to address emerging business opportunities.

You will take ownership of laser design development and apply computational modelling techniques for analysis, including nonlinear optical systems. Practical work will be conducted within Leonardo's Laser Centre of Excellence Laboratories.

This role involves working in a multidisciplinary team and offers a unique opportunity to influence the progress, direction, and successful delivery of next-generation lasers within one of the world's largest manufacturers of advanced solid-state military lasers.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Experience in laser product development and/or laser applied research environments.
2. Ownership of a laser design that has been manufactured (one-off or volume production).
3. Experience in designing, characterising, and manufacturing lasers using appropriate commercial tools.
4. Advanced understanding of laser physics and solid-state laser engineering.
5. Knowledge of mechanical and electrical design aspects of laser systems.
6. Experience in laser research, development, or manufacturing environments.
7. Experience with technical proposal writing, project budgeting, and team leadership.
8. Strong analytical and modelling skills, with good laboratory skills.
9. Familiarity with fibre laser systems.
10. Qualifications: Essential - related Master’s degree (e.g., Physics). Desirable - PhD with significant laser design content.

Security Clearance

Details to be provided during the recruitment process.

Life at Leonardo

With a comprehensive benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and flexible working hours focused on employee and customer needs, a career with Leonardo offers numerous opportunities.

• Flexible Working: Hybrid working options; part-time opportunities available.
• Company-funded benefits: Private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle allowances (£500/year).
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, with options to buy/sell leave and accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days annually.
• Pension: Award-winning scheme with up to 10% employer contribution.
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme, mental health support, financial wellbeing support, diversity & inclusion networks.
• Lifestyle: Discounted gym memberships, Cycle to Work scheme.
• Training: Access to over 4,000 online courses via Coursera.
• Referral Incentive: Rewards for successful referrals.
• Bonus Scheme: Available for employees at management level and below.