Optical Systems Engineer

IC Resources; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

IC Resources, on behalf of a laser communications company, seeks an Optical Systems Engineer to own optical subsystem development from requirements through field testing. The role is based in Oxford with hybrid working possibilities.

You will design optical and photonic subsystems for laser communication terminals, perform trade studies, model performance, and lead integration and test activities. Space or satellite systems knowledge is a plus.

Qualifications

• Experience defining requirements and conducting trade studies to inform design choices.
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Responsibilities

• Design optical and photonic subsystems for laser communication terminals.

Skills

Optical design

Optical analysis

Lab testing

Lasers

Fibre/Free-space optics

Adaptive optics

Space/satellite systems

Requirements definition

Electronics for optoelectronic

High-power laser safety

Tools

Zemax

Optical testing equipment

Lab instrumentation

Job description

My client, a laser communications company, is looking for an Optical Systems Engineer with both design and Assembly, Integration and Test experience. You will own optical subsystem development from requirements definition through to field testing, working closely with the Product Technical Lead and optical engineering team.

This is an Oxford-based position, with the opportunity for hybrid work.

Responsibilities

• Design optical and photonic subsystems for laser communication terminals
• Define requirements and perform trade-off analysis between performance and cost
• Model and optimise optical system performance, including tolerancing
• Conduct breadboard testing to validate models
• Assemble, integrate and test subsystems
• Support system-level testing and field trials
• Act as subject matter expert for optical and photonic systems
• Manage suppliers of optical and photonic components
• Provide technical leadership on subsystem development projects

Requirements

• Experience defining requirements and performing trade studies to inform design selection
• Optical design and analysis experience in Zemax or similar, covering design, optimisation and sequential tolerancing
• Hands‑on experience with lasers (CW and pulsed), detectors/receivers, modulators and fibre/free-space optics, with a solid understanding of the underlying physics and performance trade-offs
• Hands‑on lab experience designing and running tests on optical systems
• Electronics for optoelectronic systems, for example high-speed data converters
• Optical or RF communications, for example modulation
• High-power lasers, optical amplifiers and associated safety requirements
• Optical instrument calibration, alignment and procedure definition
• Adaptive optics
• Space or satellite systems knowledge