Optical Systems Engineer – Applications & Photonics

Singular Photonics; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension: 5% company contribution

EMI share options

35 days annual leave

Job summary

Singular Photonics, based in Edinburgh, seeks an Optical and Applications Engineer to build and characterise optical systems and turn results into demonstrators and customer-ready materials.

You will work hands-on with our SPAD cameras, collaborate with hardware/ASIC/firmware teams, and contribute to publications and customer engagements. The role offers a hybrid pattern with lab and office time in the UK.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in optical system assembly, alignment, testing and troubleshooting.
• Experience of optical design and simulation using Zemax or equivalent tool.
• Proficiency in at least one of Python, MATLAB, C/C++ or LabVIEW for instrument control and data processing.
• Working knowledge of photon counting or time-resolved techniques such as TCSPC.
• Able to explain technical work clearly to colleagues, customers and non-specialists.

Responsibilities

• Applications Development: Design, build and test applications using Singular Photonics SPAD cameras, taking them from concept to demonstrator.
• Optical Design & Simulation: Support optical system design and validation against measurements.
• Applications Engineering: Contribute to notes, technical material and demonstrations for customers.
• Experimental Work: Build, align and troubleshoot optical setups in the lab with time-resolved measurements.
• Instrument Control & Analysis: Write scripts to control instruments and process results in Python/MATLAB/C/C++/LabVIEW.
• Collaborative R&D: Contribute to joint projects and grant consortia, assist reporting.
• Research & IP: Contribute to publications and patent filings.

Skills

Optical assembly

Optical design

Instrument control code

Photon counting/TCSPC

Communicating to non-specialists

Small-team collaboration

Education

Degree in Optical Engineering

Physics/Photonic related field

Tools

Zemax

Python

MATLAB

LabVIEW

C/C++

Job description

Singular Photonics, based in Edinburgh, seeks an Optical and Applications Engineer to build and characterise optical systems and turn results into demonstrators and customer-ready materials.

You will work hands-on with our SPAD cameras, collaborate with hardware/ASIC/firmware teams, and contribute to publications and customer engagements. The role offers a hybrid pattern with lab and office time in the UK.