Optical Systems Engineer

Cnuic Technologies; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity scheme

Life Insurance

Modern office

Job summary

Cnuic Technologies, based in Edinburgh, is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to architect and integrate optical hardware and control systems for cutting-edge experiments. The role blends optics, mechanics, and controls with hands-on lab work to align, stabilise, and monitor complex optical setups.

You will model, simulate, and specify system architectures, while collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver robust, scalable solutions and document design decisions for the wider group.

Qualifications

• Solid hands-on experience with optical systems and alignment techniques in a lab environment.
• Good understanding of core optical concepts (beam propagation, imaging, polarization, interferometry).
• Experience working on or with complex, multi-component experimental setups.
• Systems-level thinking and ability to reason about subsystem interactions.

Responsibilities

• Act as a systems architect for optical assemblies, defining power budgets, alignment tolerances, and overall system requirements.
• Design and specify alignment procedures for complex optical setups and translate manual processes into automated, motorised solutions.
• Select and integrate motorised stages, actuators, and sensors into cohesive control systems.
• Work hands-on in the lab to build, align, test, and troubleshoot optical experiments and assemblies.
• Collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to ensure subsystem requirements integrate at the system level.
• Model and simulate optical systems (e.g., Zemax) to validate designs and predict performance before build.
• Document system architectures, alignment procedures, and design decisions for use across the team.
• Support debugging and iteration of existing optical systems as requirements evolve.

Skills

Optical systems

Alignment techniques

Lab experience

Systems thinking

Communication skills

Education

BS/MS in Optics/Physics/Phot...

Tools

Zemax

SolidWorks

Job description

About the Company

Cnuic Technologies is a deep-tech company based in the vibrant technology hub of Edinburgh, we are on a mission to manufacture this generation of optical devices at scale. We are developing groundbreaking, next-generation optical systems that will fundamentally redefine the boundaries of precision manufacturing and nanoscale engineering.

We are backed by substantial venture capital funding from some of the world’s leading global tech funds, providing us with the deep runway required to solve exceptionally difficult hardware challenges. In addition to robust private investment, our innovative approach has been recognised and supported through multiple prestigious grant awards from key UK innovation agencies.

Life at Cnuic is highly curious, deeply collaborative, and unapologetically ambitious. We have fostered a vibrant, high-paced startup environment where challenging conventional thinking is the norm, and where exceptional engineers are given the resources and autonomy to do the best work of their careers. If you are driven by the prospect of building foundational, paradigm-shifting technology from the ground up, you will find a home here.

About the Role

We're looking for a Lead Systems Engineer with strong optical systems experience to act as an architect for the hardware and processes that hold our experiments together. You'll work at the intersection of optics, mechanics, and controls, designing and specifying the systems that align, stabilise, and monitor complex optical setups, This is a hands‑on role: you'll spend time in the lab as much as at the design bench, working with real hardware to solve real alignment and system‑integration problems. In addition you will:

• Act as a systems architect for optical assemblies, defining power budgets, alignment tolerances, and overall system requirements
• Design and specify alignment procedures for complex optical setups, and translate manual processes into automated, motorised solutions
• Select and integrate motorised stages, actuators, and sensors (e.g., position, power, wavefront) into cohesive control systems
• Work hands‑on in the lab to build, align, test, and troubleshoot optical experiments and assemblies
• Collaborate with optical, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to ensure subsystem requirements integrate cleanly at the system level
• Model and simulate optical systems (e.g., in Zemax) to validate designs and predict performance before build
• Document system architectures, alignment procedures, and design decisions for use across the team
• Support debugging and iteration of existing optical systems as requirements evolve

Required:

• Solid hands‑on experience with optical systems and alignment techniques in a lab environment
• Good understanding of core optical concepts (e.g., beam propagation, imaging, polarization, interferometry)
• Experience working on or with complex, multi‑component experimental setups
• Systems‑level thinking, comfortable reasoning about how subsystems (optical, mechanical, electronic) interact and constrain each other

• Excellent communication skills to translate highly complex optical concepts into clear, actionable insights for non‑optical engineering peers and leadership.
• Highly collaborative to ensure solutions are achieved at pace
• Degree/PhD: BS/MS in Optics, Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, or related field

Beneficial to Have:

• Experience with optical modelling and simulation tools such as Zemax
• Exposure to quantum computing, atomic physics, or related precision‑optics domains
• Experience designing or working with motorised/automated alignment systems (stages, actuators, closed‑loop control)
• Familiarity with sensors used in optical feedback systems (position, power, wavefront sensing, etc.)
• Basic scripting/programming experience (e.g., Python) for automation or data analysis
• Hands‑on experience using CAD software (i.e. SolidWorks) for designing custom optomechanical components, mounts, and experimental test rigs.

• A working knowledge of how to handle and utilise different photosynthetic or photosensitive chemical materials for integration into broader optical systems.

Benefits & Compensation

We recognise that our foundational team members are the engine of our success. To reflect your critical role in building Cnuic Technologies, we offer a highly competitive compensation package. This includes:

• Equity Scheme: A generous allocation from our option pool, ensuring that as a fundamental builder of the company, you share substantially in our long-term success.
• Life Insurance: Comprehensive standard life insurance coverage for your peace of mind.
• Work Environment: A great team with regular social activities in a modern, state‑of‑the‑art office space designed for both deep focus and team collaboration. This features dedicated recreational areas where you can step away from the desk, unwind, and recharge.