Optics Consultant

TTP plc.; Melbourn; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-related bonus

Employee shares/stock options

10% pension contribution

Private medical insurance for staff

Life insurance

Job summary

TTP plc. is seeking a technically brilliant optical engineer to lead the development of breakthrough ophthalmic technologies within our Advanced Surgical team.

You will drive optical system innovations from concept through to commercialisation, collaborating with scientists, engineers and clients across medtech and pharma sectors. Based in Melbourn, you’ll apply photonics expertise to create advanced diagnostic and surgical tools, working in a dynamic environment that values curiosity,

Qualifications

• Strong academic background in physical science or engineering with hands-on practical experience.
• Experience in designing imaging or OCT systems is especially valuable.
• Excellent communication skills for client and team interactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of optical technologies for ophthalmology and surgical applications.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and clients to move concepts to commercialisation.
• Translate complex technical ideas into clear, actionable plans and demonstrations.

Skills

Optical system design

Prototyping

Testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in physical science or engineering

PhD or equivalent industry experience in photonics/optical design

Job description

TTP is an employee-owned technology and product development consultancy with a 40-year track record of partnering with ambitious clients to solve complex challenges and bring innovative, commercially successful solutions to market.

We invent, design, and develop impactful products and technologies across industries – from healthcare and life science to energy and communications – working at the intersection of engineering, physical science, and biology.

Our culture encourages entrepreneurship, shared ideas, and technical collaboration, while giving you the freedom to do your best work.

Job Description

Lead the development of breakthrough optical technologies for ophthalmology and advanced surgical applications. Working within TTP's Advanced Surgical team, you'll apply expertise in optics, photonics and imaging systems to develop innovative medical devices, diagnostic platforms and surgical technologies from concept through commercialisation while working alongside world-class scientists and engineers.

You’ll play a pivotal role in our Advanced Surgical team developing transformative medical technologies for the eyecare market and beyond, such as next generation diagnostic systems, surgical tools and lenses.

While your background will be in engineering or physics, with core expertise in optical systems, your role will be diverse. From blank sheet to manufacture, you will be key in advancing our work in the eyecare space leading technical workstreams and projects. You’ll collaborate with multidisciplinary teams – including physicists, electronics and mechanical engineers, software developers, and human factors specialists – and work with clients ranging from dynamic start‑ups to global medtech and pharma companies.

Your role will be underpinned by a strong curiosity and technical understanding transforming you into a technical authority that demonstrates TTP’s credibility in this space. You will also play a key role in the interactions with our clients byleveraging a combination of commercial curiosity and a deep technical understanding to help identify and close opportunities and to deepen client relationships.

You will also have opportunities to apply your skills beyond your home team contributing to projects across TTP’s wider Health Tech and multi-sector portfolio.

Qualifications

We’re seeking a technically brilliant and creative problem-solver who thrives in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment.We're looking for candidates who want to impact the industry both commercially and technically; those who don't just solve problems - but who seek them out, thrive on them, and elevate those around them while doing so.

You will:

• have a strong academic background – a strong Master’s degree in a physical science or engineering discipline and a PhD, or equivalent industry experience, in photonics, optical physics, laser systems or optical design – and hands‑on practical experience.
• be proactive and self‑starting, with a strong sense of personal responsibility and a drive to make things happen.
• be collaborative and emotionally intelligent, able to build trust, influence stakeholders, energise those around you, and communicatecomplex technical ideas with clarity, empathy, and precision, regardless of your audience's background.
• be strategic and systems‑minded, able to see the bigger picture, anticipate challenges and opportunities while considering the commercial aspects of technology product development, and navigate ambiguity while keeping priorities sharp and focused.
• Skilled in architecting, prototyping, and testing optical systems, with experience in design of imaging or OCT systems being especially useful.
• Experience in regulated sectors, such as medical devices or healthcare, eyecare or ophthalmic devices would be excellent.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with clients, colleagues, and suppliers.

Additional Information

TTP operates from an award-winning campus in green surroundings in Melbourn, just south of Cambridge.

We offer a generous benefits package including:

• Annual profit-related bonus
• Virtual shares that reward you with a stake in TTP Group’s long-term success
• Employer pension contribution of 10% of salary
• Private medical insurance for employees and dependants
• Life insurance worth 6 x salary
• 25 days holiday
• Enhanced parental leave and flexible return-to-work support
• Electric car leasing and cycle-to-work schemes
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Local sports facilities and theatre discounts and memberships