Opto-Mechanical Engineer: Design & Prototyping for Photonics

Jackalope Digital LLC; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Jackalope Digital LLC is seeking an Opto-mechanical Engineer to join the Manufacturing team. You will design, validate, and manufacture opto-mechanical assemblies and mounts, translating optical designs into robust hardware and preparing for scalable production.

The role blends CAD design, optical modelling, and hands-on prototyping, with frequent collaboration across hardware, manufacturing, and supplier teams. Fresh graduates with relevant project experience are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• 2+ years hands-on SolidWorks experience.
• 2+ years hands-on Zemax or similar optical design software.
• Solid understanding of optics fundamentals: alignment, tolerances, beam propagation, focusing.
• Fresh graduates with strong project/internship/academic experience welcome.
• Ability to perform tolerance stack-up analysis for optical and mechanical systems.
• Hands-on lab/manufacturing experience in opto-mechanical or optical engineering.
• Strong troubleshooting mindset and iterative engineering approach.
• Clear communication with cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel to vendor sites for knowledge transfer.

Responsibilities

• Design opto-mechanical components and assemblies using SolidWorks.
• Model and analyse optical systems and tolerances using Zemax.
• Translate optical design requirements into manufacturable mechanical designs.
• Perform tolerance analysis to ensure alignment across variation.
• Build and test prototypes to validate designs against optical targets.
• Support fibre-to-chip and free-space alignment integration for photonic assemblies.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and vendors to ensure production-readiness.
• Investigate and resolve mechanical/thermal issues affecting optical performance.
• Create and maintain design drawings and documentation.
• Support root cause analysis for opto-mechanical failures in testing or field use.

Skills

SolidWorks

Zemax

Optics fundamentals

Lab/manufacturing experience

Tolerance analysis

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Vendor interaction

Tools

Zemax

Job description

Jackalope Digital LLC is seeking an Opto-mechanical Engineer to join the Manufacturing team. You will design, validate, and manufacture opto-mechanical assemblies and mounts, translating optical designs into robust hardware and preparing for scalable production.

The role blends CAD design, optical modelling, and hands-on prototyping, with frequent collaboration across hardware, manufacturing, and supplier teams. Fresh graduates with relevant project experience are encouraged to apply.