Senior Optical Engineer

Thermoteknix; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Thermoteknix Systems Ltd, founded in 1982 and based in Cambridge, seeks an experienced Optical Engineer to design imaging optics for thermal, night vision and AR systems. You will craft optical architectures, select materials and coatings, and work with mechanical engineers on assembly and alignment.

Responsibilities include modelling, tolerance analysis, and validating designs from prototype to volume production, ensuring performance across VIS, NIR and IR wavelengths.

Qualifications

• Degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics or related discipline.
• Significant professional experience in optical system design.
• Experience with Zemax OpticStudio, Code V or equivalent.
• Experience taking optical designs from concept to prototype and manufacture.
• Strong understanding of geometrical and physical optics.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop optical systems for thermal imaging, night vision, and AR applications.
• Develop optical architectures for compact imaging systems including lenses, eyepieces, relay optics, and sensors.
• Perform optical modelling and optimisation using Zemax OpticStudio or Code V.
• Conduct tolerance analysis and establish manufacturing tolerances.
• Analyze optical performance including MTF, distortion, aberrations, and image quality.
• Specify materials, coatings, and components across VIS/NIR/IR.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers on opto‑mechanical design and packaging.
• Define optical requirements, interfaces and acceptance criteria.
• Support NPI with test methods, fixtures and measurement systems.
• Assist in prototype build, alignment, and environmental qualification.

Skills

Optical design

System integration

Tolerance analysis

MTF analysis

Analytical problem solving

Team collaboration

Communication to non specialists

Education

Degree in Optical Engineering / Physics / Photonics

Tools

Zemax OpticStudio

Code V

Optical simulation software

Job description

Location

Waterbeach, UK

Department

Engineering

Reports to

Mechanical Engineering Manager

Type

Full-time, Permanent

Company Profile

Thermoteknix Systems Ltd, founded in 1982 and based in Cambridge, is a world leader in thermal imaging, night vision, and augmented reality systems. Our award-winning technologies are trusted by defence, security, and industrial customers in over 70 countries. With in-house R&D, cutting-edge innovation, and a global reputation for quality, we design and manufacture solutions that perform in the toughest environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop optical systems for thermal imaging, night vision, visible imaging and augmented reality applications.
• Develop optical architectures for compact imaging systems, including objective lenses, eyepieces, relay optics, fusion optics, display optics and sensor interfaces.
• Perform optical modelling, simulation and optimisation using industry-standard optical design software such as Zemax OpticStudio or equivalent.
• Conduct tolerance analysis and establish appropriate manufacturing and alignment tolerances.
• Analyse optical performance including MTF, distortion, aberrations, stray light, illumination, image quality and system resolution.
• Select appropriate optical materials, coatings, filters and components across visible, near-infrared and infrared wavelengths.
• Work closely with mechanical engineers on opto-mechanical design, packaging, alignment and environmental stability.
• Define optical requirements, specifications, interfaces and acceptance criteria.
• Support the NPI team to design and develop optical test methods, fixtures and measurement systems.
• Support the NPI team to build, align and characterise prototype optical assemblies.
• Support environmental qualification including temperature, shock, vibration and other demanding operational conditions.
• Work with suppliers on custom lenses, optical assemblies, coatings and specialist components.
• Review supplier designs, drawings, tolerances and optical performance data.
• Support design for manufacture and the transition of optical assemblies from prototype into volume production.
• Keep abreast of developments in optical technologies, sensors, materials and manufacturing techniques relevant to Thermoteknix products.

Required Skills & Experience

• Degree or higher qualification in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics or a closely related discipline.
• Significant professional experience in optical system design and development.
• Strong practical experience using optical design and simulation software such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V or equivalent.
• Proven experience designing imaging optics.
• Strong understanding of geometrical and physical optics.
• Experience with optical tolerancing, optimisation and performance analysis.
• Good understanding of MTF, resolution, distortion, aberrations, radiometry and image quality.
• Experience taking optical designs from concept through prototype and into manufacture.
• Good understanding of opto-mechanical design principles and the interaction between optical and mechanical tolerances.
• Experience specifying optical components, materials and coatings.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• A practical, hands-on approach to engineering and product development.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Thermal imaging systems and infrared optics.
• LWIR, MWIR or SWIR optical design.
• Germanium, chalcogenide and other infrared optical materials.
• Uncooled microbolometer-based imaging systems.
• Night vision goggles or image intensifier systems.
• Eyepiece and ocular design.
• Head-mounted displays, HUDs or augmented reality optics.
• Waveguide, combiner or see-through display technologies.
• Low-light and visible imaging systems.
• Stray light analysis.
• Optical coatings and spectral filter design.
• Optical metrology and MTF measurement.
• Precision optical alignment and active alignment techniques.
• Environmental qualification of optical