Laser & Optical Engineering Teams

QinetiQ Group plc; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

QinetiQ Group plc seeks talented Laser & Optical Engineers to join our team in Farnborough/Malvern. You will contribute to design, development, qualification, and integration of high-value photonics-based systems, driving from concept to field deployment.

You'll work on technical strategy, roadmaps, and customer engagements, shaping technology directions while mentoring engineering teams and delivering complex programs.

Qualifications

• Are passionate about photonics, lasers, and optical systems.
• Have a strong engineering mindset with a focus on product delivery and real-world application.
• Can learn quickly and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Enjoy solving complex technical challenges.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Lead or contribute to product development and qualification activities.
• Define and manage technical work packages.
• Support and write technical proposals and bids.
• Engage directly with customers and stakeholders.
• Influence project technical direction and delivery.
• Mentor and develop engineering teams.

Skills

Systems engineering

Photonics

Optical design

Laser technology

Technical leadership

Customer engagement

Product delivery

Job description

We work across the full product lifecycle - following a gate-stage approach from early-stage research and prototypes through to integrated, qualified, and field-deployable systems. As part of the team, you will:

• Design, develop, and mature electro-optical and optomechanical subsystems.
• Apply systems engineering principles across the delivery lifecycle.
• Support product development, integration, verification, and qualification activities.
• Build and operate experimental and prototype systems.
• Support the introduction of product into manufacturing.
• Contribute to technical strategy and innovation roadmaps.
• Support business growth through technical inputs to bids and proposals., As an experienced engineer, you will contribute from day one to the delivery of complex, high-value systems.

In addition to core engineering responsibilities, you will:

• Lead or contribute to product development and qualification activities.
• Define and manage technical work packages.
• Support and write technical proposals and bids.
• Engage directly with customers and stakeholders.
• Influence project technical direction and delivery., Providing technical leadership across programmes.
• Driving system design, integration, and qualification strategies.
• Leading customer engagements and high-impact deliveries.
• Shaping technology and product roadmaps.
• Mentoring and developing engineering teams.

Our Fellowship scheme recognises and supports individuals with deep technical expertise and leadership capability. #LI-HT1

Important Information All applicants must be eligible for Security Check (SC) clearance as a minimum. Individuals who already hold suitable clearance may be able to transfer it, subject to approval. Please note that some roles are subject to access restrictions related to nationality and security requirements.

The Laser & Optical Engineering teams at QinetiQ (Farnborough and Malvern) are seeking talented and motivated Laser & Optical Engineers to join our growing team of subject matter experts.

• Are passionate about photonics, lasers, and optical systems.
• Have a strong engineering mindset with a focus on product delivery and real-world application.
• Can learn quickly and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Enjoy solving complex technical challenges.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

If you are beginning your career as an engineer and have experience in lasers or optics, we would like to hear from you.

• Optical design and modelling.
• Laser systems or photonics technologies.
• Machine vision and control systems.
• Sensing and detection technologies.
• Test, evaluation, and experimental methods.

As a senior engineer, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering QinetiQ's LDEW strategy, with a strong emphasis on system-level integration, product maturity, and operational capability.

Our teams are at the forefront of QinetiQ's contribution to the UK's Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) programmes, among other world-leading photonics-based capabilities.