Photonics Summer Placement: Hands-on Optical Design & Testing

Leonardo; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave pro rata

Employer pension contribution up to 15

Mental health support

Free online courses (Coursera/LinkedIn

Job summary

Leonardo in the United Kingdom is offering a Photonics Summer Placement within the Advanced Targeting line of business. You will support design and development of laser/optical components under the guidance of Optical Engineers, gaining hands-on experience through the full development lifecycle.

The 13-week placement runs from 1 June 2027 to 27 August 2027. Participants should be available on-site at least three days per week to integrate with the team and maximise learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• You should be working towards a master’s level degree, typically in Physics, although degrees in other physical sciences or engineering disciplines will be considered.
• Relevant photonics experience, such as laboratory work, previous summer placements or internships.
• Experience with technical writing and project planning.
• Strong analytical, modelling skills and laboratory skills.
• Evidence of successfully working in a team.
• Enthusiasm for photonics and an interest in developing your skills.
• Experience of modelling tools such as Zemax Optics Studio, Matlab, LabVIEW, and COMSOL (or equivalent) is desirable.
• Ideally you be in your penultimate year.

Responsibilities

• Contribute directly to the development and delivery of Laser/Optical design, including lens design and optical ray tracing.
• Performance modelling, including tolerancing and finite element modelling problem solving technical issues across the product lifecycle.
• Hands on lab and integration work with solid-state lasers or fibre optics.
• Verification testing and problem solving within complex assemblies.
• Receive training in the technical skills which are tailored to the role and area of the business you are in, and the opportunity to gain wider business knowledge through various awareness sessions.
• Be given opportunities to apply the technical and soft skills you have gained from your degree course to date in industry.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Team collaboration

Enthusiasm for photonics

Master’s degree in physics or related

Education

Master's degree (penultimate year)

Tools

Zemax Optics Studio

Matlab

LabVIEW

COMSOL

Job description

Leonardo in the United Kingdom is offering a Photonics Summer Placement within the Advanced Targeting line of business. You will support design and development of laser/optical components under the guidance of Optical Engineers, gaining hands-on experience through the full development lifecycle.

The 13-week placement runs from 1 June 2027 to 27 August 2027. Participants should be available on-site at least three days per week to integrate with the team and maximise learning opportunities.