Principal Systems Engineer

IC Resources; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IC Resources is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer in Edinburgh to own the overall system architecture, integrating optics, opto-mechanics, electronics and thermal management into a robust, manufacturable product.

You will lead requirements, design, IVVQ and cross-disciplinary interfaces, driving trade-offs to optimise performance while coordinating prototyping, testing and supplier collaborations.

Qualifications

• Degree or PhD in Physics, Optical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive systems engineering experience across architecture, requirements, design and IVVQ.
• Hands-on opto-mechanical experience, including optical alignment, tolerancing and integration.
• Background in photonics, lasers, quantum technologies, space, defence or precision instrumentation.
• Extensive laboratory experience building and characterising optical systems.
• Knowledge of electronics, detectors, thermal control and Python and/or MATLAB.

Responsibilities

• Own system architecture, requirements and subsystem interfaces across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Define performance budgets and lead technical trade-offs to optimise system performance.
• Drive the integration and packaging of optical, electronic and mechanical components.
• Lead system verification, validation and environmental qualification.
• Oversee prototyping, testing and technical risk reduction.
• Work with suppliers, academic partners and engineers to drive the technology forward.

Skills

Systems engineering

Optics

Opto-mechanics

IVVQ

Python

MATLAB

Zemax CODE V

CAD

FEA

Thermal control

Education

Physics/Optical Eng PhD

Tools

Zemax CODE V

Job description

Our client is an ambitious, early-stage deep-tech company developing a new class of optical systems for advanced manufacturing, backed by leading venture investors and UK innovation funding.

They are looking for a Principal Systems Engineer to take ownership of the overall system architecture, integrating optics, opto-mechanics, electronics and thermal management into a robust, manufacturable product.

The Role

• Own system architecture, requirements and subsystem interfaces across multiple engineering disciplines.
• Define performance budgets and lead technical trade-offs to optimise system performance.
• Drive the integration and packaging of optical, electronic and mechanical components.
• Lead system verification, validation and environmental qualification.
• Oversee prototyping, testing and technical risk reduction.
• Work with suppliers, academic partners and engineers to drive the technology forward.

What We're Looking For

• Degree or PhD in Physics, Optical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong systems engineering experience across architecture, requirements, design and IVVQ.
• Hands-on opto-mechanical experience, including optical alignment, tolerancing and integration.
• Background in photonics, lasers, quantum technologies, space, defence or precision instrumentation.
• Extensive laboratory experience building and characterising optical systems.
• Knowledge of electronics, detectors, thermal control and Python and/or MATLAB.

Experience with CAD, FEA, Zemax/CODE V and design for manufacture would be advantageous.