Photonics Product Engineer: R&D & Manufacturing Lead

Mploy Group; Paignton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Mploy Group in Paignton, Devon, seeks a Product Engineer with a strong photonics background to own photonic and optoelectronic products across R&D and manufacturing.

This hands-on role spans development to production, requiring 5+ years in photonics or laser-based systems, and focuses on assembly, alignment, testing and process improvements to boost yield and reliability.

The position is permanent, on-site, offering £50,000–£60,000 DOE in a rapidly growing deep‑tech business.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in photonics or laser-based product engineering.
• Hands-on experience assembling, aligning, testing and debugging precision optical systems.
• Strong understanding of optical components, detectors, lasers, fibres and coatings.
• Experience supporting products through development, NPI and ongoing manufacture.

Responsibilities

• Take technical ownership of photonic and optoelectronic products within manufacturing.
• Work across R&D and manufacturing, maintaining ownership as products move into production.
• Develop and improve optical assembly, alignment and verification processes.
• Provide DFM, DFA and reliability input into new product development.
• Lead root-cause analysis of optical failures and implement corrective actions.
• Support production during high-demand periods and scale manufacturing.
• Collaborate with R&D, mechanical, electronics, quality and supplier teams.

Skills

Photonics

Optoelectronics

Optical alignment

NPI & production

Root cause analysis

Manufacturing process improvement

DFM / DFA

Product development lifecycle

Education

Degree in photonics/physics/optoelectronics/electrical engineering

Job description

Mploy Group in Paignton, Devon, seeks a Product Engineer with a strong photonics background to own photonic and optoelectronic products across R&D and manufacturing.

This hands-on role spans development to production, requiring 5+ years in photonics or laser-based systems, and focuses on assembly, alignment, testing and process improvements to boost yield and reliability.

The position is permanent, on-site, offering £50,000–£60,000 DOE in a rapidly growing deep‑tech business.