Optical Systems Engineer

IC Resources; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity participation scheme

Life insurance

Job summary

IC Resources is seeking a Lead Optical Systems Engineer in Edinburgh to act as the architect for advanced optical hardware and processes within a deep-tech startup.

You will own system requirements, perform Zemax simulations, and lead alignment procedures while collaborating across optical, mechanical and electronic subsystems. A strong academic background and hands-on lab experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with optical systems, alignment and lab work.
• Understanding of beam propagation, imaging, polarisation and interferometry.
• Experience with multi-component optical systems.
• Systems-level understanding of optical, mechanical and electronic subsystems.
• Good communication and collaboration skills.
• Degree/MSc/PhD in relevant discipline.
• Experience with Zemax.
• Exposure to quantum technologies or precision instrumentation.

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

Optical systems

Precision alignment

Zemax

Python scripting

SolidWorks

Systems engineering

Interferometry

Beam propagation

Education

PhD/ MSc 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.