Optical Systems Engineer: Laser Comms & Photonics (Hybrid)

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 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.