Optical Systems Engineer

Archangel Lightworks; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

25 days annual leave

Training resources and budget

Wellbeing/app subscriptions

Regular socials and team lunches

Job summary

Archangel Lightworks is a connectivity company building wireless technology to create space-enabled networks of the future. We are seeking an Optical Systems Engineer to lead the design, modelling and testing of optical subsystems for laser communications in extreme environments.

You will define requirements, perform trades studies, and work with photonics components, FPGA/embedded electronics, and high‑power lasers. The role offers hybrid working with equity options and a strong growth path.

Qualifications

• Experience defining requirements on optical systems, modelling and performing trades studies to inform design selection.
• Optical design/analysis experience using Zemax or similar software for design, optimisation and tolerancing.
• Hands-on lab experience designing and carrying out tests for relevant optical systems.

Responsibilities

• Design laser communication terminal optical/sub-systems for extreme environments.
• Define requirements and perform trades studies to optimize performance vs cost.
• Model optical system performance, optimise and set tolerances.
• Conduct breadboard testing to validate modelled data.
• Assemble, integrate and test subsystems.
• Support system-level testing and trials.
• Be SME for optical and photonic systems.
• Manage suppliers of optical and photonic components.
• Provide technical leadership of subsystem development projects.

Skills

Optical design

Zemax modeling

Photonic components

Lab testing

FPGA/embedded

CCSDS/SpaceWire

Job description

Archangel Lightworks is a connectivity company building wireless technology to create the space-enabled networks of the future. We’re passionate about improving humanity’s communications infrastructure and solving some of Earth’s most critical problems from economic inclusion to climate change. Our start-up is a fast-paced and supportive environment, where you can make your mark as part of a growing team and work on the cutting-edge of innovation.

We’re looking for an Optical Systems Engineer with both design and Assembly Integration and Test experience to join our engineering team and deliver transformative laser communications technology. You will be responsible for the development of our optical subsystems, from requirements definition to testing in the field. In this role, you will work closely with our Product Technical Lead and optical engineering team.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Design of laser communication terminal optical/photonic sub-systems for extreme environments
• Requirement definition and trade off analysis for complex optical/photonics systems, finding the optimal balance of performance against cost
• Modelling of optical system performance, optimisation and tolerancing
• Conducting practical breadboard testing to validate modelled data
• Assembling, integrating and testing subsystems
• Supporting system level testing and trials
• Being a subject matter expert for optical and photonic systems
• Managing suppliers of optical and photonic components
• Providing technical leadership of subsystem development projects.

Requirements:

• Experience defining requirements on optical systems, modelling and performing trades studies to inform design selection
• Optical design/analysis experience using Zemax or similar software for design, optimisation and tolerancing. (Sequential, non-sequential desirable)
• Hands‑on experience with photonic components and systems, including lasers (CW and pulsed), optical detectors/receivers, modulators, and fibre/ free-space optics, with a solid understanding of underlying physical principles and performance trade-offs
• Hands‑on lab experience designing and carrying out tests for relevant optical systems.
• Experience with electronics for optoelectronic systems, including analogue front‑ends, high‑speed data converters, embedded/FPGAs, and power/EMI/thermal considerations
• Experience with optical or RF communication systems, including modulation schemes, error correction, FPGA/SDR modem implementation, and relevant protocols (e.g. CCSDS, SpaceWire, Ethernet)
• Experience with high power lasers, optical amplifiers, and relevant safety requirements
• Experience with optical instrument calibration and alignment, and procedure definition.

Location: Our office is based in Osney Mead, Oxford. There will be opportunity to work from home as agreed with your line manager.

• The opportunity to make a difference building cutting edge technology to support a world‑changing vision
• Options for hybrid working and custom arrangements that matter to you
• 25 days annual leave allowance plus bank holidays
• Equity options in a growing start‑up
• Investment in you to help you grow, with training resources and budget
• Supportive team culture with high levels of ownership and responsibility
• Regular socials and weekly team lunch
• Variety of additional perks including learning and wellbeing app subscriptions.

We recognise that many candidates use AI tools when applying. Please ensure your application reflects your own experience, skills, and thinking. We assess applications based on authenticity and accuracy, so anything generated with AI should be reviewed, personalised, and representative of you.