Senior Optical Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time to Recharge

Secure your Future

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Leonardo UK Ltd is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to advance laser‑directed energy and targeting laser systems. You will lead optical‑mechanical concept development and system verification, contributing to sovereign defence technologies on flagship programmes.

The role requires graduate optics credentials, strong lens design and optical analysis skills, and experience with infrared/multi‑waveband systems. Hybrid working and extensive learning opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• Classical optics principles demonstrated in graduate-level work.
• Experience with lens design and optical analysis using commercial tools.
• Background in product development involving optical–mechanical systems.
• Experience with infrared/multi‑waveband optical systems.
• Knowledge of optical coatings transmission/reflectance measurements.
• Experience with stray light analysis and control methods.
• Ability to measure and quantify wavefront error.
• Experience designing fiber‑to‑free‑space optical links.
• Ability to design across varied temperatures/environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop Optical‑Mechanical concepts; define system architecture and lens designs.
• Model or design imaging lenses and optical systems with tools like Zemax/CodeV.
• Develop test processes for Engineering/Technicians for electro‑optical systems.
• Support system verification to meet performance and safety requirements.
• Explore new technologies to address opportunities.
• Create work packages with milestones and deliverables in a project team.
• Collaborate with procurement to identify new suppliers and address supplier quality.

Skills

Classical optics

Lens design

Optical analysis

Ansys OpticStudio

CodeV

FRED

Zemax OpticStudio

Infrared optical systems

Multi-waveband optics

Optical coatings

Stray light analysis

Wavefront error

Fiber to free-space optics

Temperature/environment design

Education

Graduate optics qualifications

Tools

Ansys OpticStudio

CodeV

FRED

Job description

Job Description:

Your impact

Are you an Optical Engineer who would relish the opportunity to work on one of our flagship programmes, such as DragonFire: the UK’s first Laser Directed Energy Weapon, or the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP): to deliver the next-generation of threat-defeat technology or advancing the technology of our world-leading targeting lasers?

We’re currently seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Advanced Targeting Sector in Edinburgh. Your focus will be on rigorous modelling of novel concepts, technology maturation, precision alignment during integration, and system-level verification. By accepting this challenge, you will have the chance to contribute directly to sovereign defence technologies that enhance operational effectiveness in contested environments, while collaborating with a growing team of experienced optical designers.

To learn more about these programmes please look at the following:

https://uk.leonardo.com/en/innovation/dragonfire

Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP): Developing the future of combat air | Leonardo in the UK

Targeting & Complex Weapons | Leonardo in the UK

Your responsibilities would include:

• Development of Optical-Mechanical concepts; including system architecture definition, develop lens designs, carry out analysis and performance simulations.
• Providing capability in modelling or designing imaging lenses and optical systems using appropriate commercial tools such as ZEMAX OpticStudio, CodeV or equivalent.
• Development of test processes for Engineering and/or Technicians to build and align the next generation of electro-optical systems.
• Develop and support system verification processes to ensure these electro-optical systems meet both performance and safety requirements.
• Investigate new technologies and engineering capabilities to address emerging business opportunities.
• Develop work packages to scope milestones and deliverables within a project team environment and demonstrate ownership of those work packages.
• Engaging with procurement to identify new suppliers or support supplier quality issues.

What you’ll bring:

• Classical optics principles, demonstrated through relevant graduate-level qualifications.
• Techniques for Lens Design and Optical Analysis using appropriate commercial tools such as Ansys OpticStudio, CodeV, Fred or equivalent.
• Experience of new product development of a product which includes an optical-mechanical system.
• Development or verification of an Infrared Optical Systems or multi-waveband optical system.
• Methods used to investigate optical transmission or reflectance of different optical coatings.
• Methods used for Stray light analysis and control
• Optical techniques for measuring and transmitted wavefront error.
• Optical design of fiber to free-space optics.
• Experience designing across a range of temperatures and environments.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a passion for optical design and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance, please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company, benefits please visit our website.

Where this vacancy is being recruited across more than one grade, the successful candidate will be appointed to a specific assessed grade, and the applicable salary range will be that associated with the grade of appointment.

Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo, we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Primary Location

GB - Newcastle

Additional Locations

GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type

Permanent

Hybrid Working

Hybrid