Senior Optical Designer

QinetiQ Group plc; Malvern; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension & Life Assurance

Holiday Allowance

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Employee Discounts

Armed Forces Covenant

Volunteering Opportunities

Job summary

QinetiQ Group plc is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer at its Malvern site to design and develop advanced optical systems across multiple programmes. You will collaborate with suppliers and engineering teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, integrated, and deployed, while mentoring junior engineers and providing technical leadership.

The role supports hands-on technical delivery and growth of the capability, with a focus on delivering innovative optical technologies into real-world

Qualifications

• Degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Engineering or related field.
• Strong industrial experience in optical system design.
• Proficiency with Zemax OpticStudio (or Code V).
• Experience taking optical designs through manufacture.
• Knowledge of optical tolerancing and DFM principles.
• Experience working with suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentoring.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimise advanced optical systems and assemblies.
• Develop optical models using Zemax OpticStudio and similar tools.
• Support manufacture, integration and testing of optical products.
• Work with suppliers and subcontractors to deliver optical hardware.
• Mentor and support the development of junior optical engineers.
• Provide technical leadership across multiple engineering projects.

Skills

Optical design

Zemax OpticStudio

Code V

DFM / tolerancing

Supplier liaison

Mentoring

Technical leadership

Physics/Engineering degree

Manufacture integration

Education

Physics/Optical Engineering degree

Tools

Zemax / Code V

Job description

As a Senior Optical Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and developing advanced optical systems, supporting multiple programmes across a growing portfolio of work. You'll work closely with suppliers, manufacturers and engineering teams to ensure designs can be successfully manufactured, integrated and deployed, helping bring innovative optical technologies into real‑world applications. Alongside hands‑on technical delivery, you'll provide mentoring and technical guidance to developing engineers while contributing to the continued growth of the capability. Your responsibilities will include:

• Design and optimise advanced optical systems and assemblies
• Develop optical models using Zemax OpticStudio and similar tools
• Support manufacture, integration and testing of optical products
• Work with suppliers and subcontractors to deliver optical hardware
• Mentor and support the development of junior optical engineers
• Provide technical leadership across multiple engineering projects

Essential qualifications for the Senior Optical Engineer:

• Strong industrial experience in optical system design
• Proficiency with Zemax OpticStudio (or equivalent such as Code V)
• Experience taking optical designs through manufacture
• Knowledge of optical tolerancing and design‑for‑manufacture principles
• Experience working with suppliers and manufacturing partners
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentoring
• Degree in Physics, Optical Engineering, Engineering, or a related scientific discipline

We value difference and we don't have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you. This role is 37 hours per week based at our Malvern site with a minimum average site attendance of three days per week.

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we're not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting‑edge defence technology to ground‑breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Senior Optical Engineer at our Malvern site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting‑edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds. The Malvern facility is noted for its work in electronic warfare, surveillance and complex system integration, contributing significantly to the UK's defence capabilities. Developing technologies for military and civilian applications, including sensors, communications and cyber security.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum. UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Our Recruitment Process:

At QinetiQ we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible and welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We believe that a diverse mix of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences drives innovation and leads to better outcomes for our people, customers and communities. We encourage applications from all candidates and are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing [e-mail]. One of our recruitment team will contact you. Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there's never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges. As a QinetiQ employee, you'll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you'll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community