Optical Systems Engineer

IC Resources; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation scheme

Life insurance

Job summary

IC Resources' Edinburgh client seeks a Lead Optical Systems Engineer to architect advanced optical hardware and processes for next‑generation manufacturing technologies.

You will define system requirements, power budgets and alignment tolerances, model with Zemax, develop alignment procedures and technical specs, and collaborate across optical, mechanical and electronic subsystems in a collaborative startup culture.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience with optical systems and precision alignment.
• Understanding of beam propagation, imaging, polarisation and interferometry.
• Experience with complex multi-component optical systems.
• Systems-level understanding of optical, mechanical and electronic subsystems.
• Experience with Zemax for optical design.
• Python or similar scripting for automation and data analysis.
• CAD experience, ideally SolidWorks, for optomechanical design.

Responsibilities

• Act as the systems architect for complex optical assemblies, defining system requirements, power budgets and alignment tolerances.
• Design and develop alignment procedures for advanced optical systems
• Build, align, test and troubleshoot complex optical experiments and assemblies
• Model and simulate optical systems using Zemax
• Develop and maintain system architecture documentation, alignment procedures and technical specifications.
• Support the optimisation, debugging and continuous improvement of optical systems throughout development.

Skills

Optics expertise

System-level thinking

Communication

Education

MSc or PhD in Optics/Photonics/Physics/EE

Tools

Zemax

SolidWorks

Job description

My client is looking for a Lead Optical Systems Engineer, to act as the architect for their hardware, advanced optical systems and processes. This is an exciting opportunity within a deep-tech startup, developing next-generation optical manufacturing technologies

Based in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Responsibilities

• Act as the systems architect for complex optical assemblies, defining system requirements, power budgets and alignment tolerances.
• Design and develop alignment procedures for advanced optical systems
• Build, align, test and troubleshoot complex optical experiments and assemblies
• Model and simulate optical systems using Zemax
• Develop and maintain system architecture documentation, alignment procedures and technical specifications.
• Support the optimisation, debugging and continuous improvement of optical systems throughout development.

Requirements

• Strong hands-on experience with optical systems, precision alignment and laboratory-based experimentation.
• Good understanding of beam propagation, imaging, polarisation and interferometry.
• Experience working with complex, multi-component optical systems.
• Systems-level understanding of optical, mechanical and electronic subsystem interactions.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Degree, MSc or PhD in Optics, Photonics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience with Zemax
• Exposure to quantum technologies, atomic physics or precision optical instrumentation.
• Experience with motorised alignment systems, actuators and feedback control systems.
• Knowledge of optical sensing technologies
• Python or similar scripting experience for automation and data analysis.
• CAD experience, ideally SolidWorks, for optomechanical design.
• Equity participation scheme.
• Life insurance.
• Modern laboratory and office environment.
• Collaborative startup culture with significant technical ownership.