Lead Optical Physicist/Engineer

LumOptica; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (3 days on-site, 2 days WFH)

Employee Assistance Programme

Regular socials and fun away-days

Cycle-to-Work Scheme

Use of company pool e-bike

Job summary

LumOptica in the West of England is seeking a Lead Optical Physicist/Engineer to lead R&D projects and manage technical enquiries. The role involves presenting results to stakeholders and contributing to business development while supporting team members in their growth. Candidates must have significant experience with lasers and optical systems, and the ability to lead project management efforts. The position offers hybrid working options and a competitive salary with benefits including an annual discretionary bonus.

Qualifications

• Eligibility for UK security clearance, must be UK National.
• Significant understanding of lasers and optical systems.
• Experience in leading R&D projects including management of resource, budgets, and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Plan and run R&D projects, field technical enquiries.
• Present project results to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Line manage team members and contribute to business development.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Business development identification

Team leadership

Flexibility

Job description

The Role

Using your significant breadth of understanding of general optical and laser principles you will take a lead in planning and running R&D projects, fielding technical enquiries, assessing their feasibility and proposing statements of work in response. You will also present project results to stakeholders which includes both technical and non-technical audiences.

As Lead Optical Physicist/Engineer you will report directly to the CEO and in addition to the technical requirements of this role, you will also have the opportunity to line manage other team members and/or to contribute to business development activities.

Experience

• You must be eligible to obtain UK security clearance (you must be a UK National and ideally have been resident within the UK for at least the last five years).
• Significant breadth of understanding of lasers and optical systems, ideally free space optical and high power.
• Interpreting detailed technical information to convey to both technical and non-technical colleagues and stakeholders.
• Leading R&D projects including resource, budgets and timeline management.
• Peer-reviewing for company deliverables to ensure quality in reports and presentations.
• Experience in optical design and/or an understanding of fibre optics is also highly desirable although not essential.

Skills and Behaviours

• Excellent analytical skills with an eye for detail and accuracy.
• Flexibility to contribute beyond your own core role to ensure the success of the team.
• Professional but thoughtful communication style and strong rapport building skills.
• The drive to learn new technologies and develop new skills.
• An understanding of how to identify business development opportunities and assess the likelihood of successfully securing these opportunities.
• The desire to share your experience and skills with less experienced members of the team in order to aid their development.

Benefits

We highly value integrity, and we strive to always do the right thing and to deliver what we say we will so that our clients and partners know they can rely on us. In recognition of excellence, we offer a competitive salary and benefit package which includes a discretionary annual bonus. We are committed to continuing professional development and provide support in obtaining chartered status and the opportunity to attend and present at conferences.

• Hybrid working (3 days on site, 2 days WFH).
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Regular socials and fun away-days.
• Cycle-to-Work Scheme.
• Use of company pool e-bike for commuting/leisure.