Senior Optical Engineer (contract)

Microsoft; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Microsoft Research Cambridge is hiring a Senior Optical Engineer to develop optical technologies powering future AI infrastructure and AI clusters.

This hands-on R&D role focuses on designing optical systems, building experiments, performing measurements, automating tests, and solving fibre-optic challenges to translate concepts into real-world solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, or related field.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in optical engineering or R&D.
• Strong hands-on experience designing and testing optical systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct optical characterization and validation testing.
• Design and optimize optical assemblies and perform tolerancing.
• Build optical test setups and automate measurements.
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems teams on packaged assemblies.
• Work with external suppliers and Microsoft product teams on technology development.

Skills

Optical System Design

Zemax

Ray-tracing software

Optical design and optimization

Physical Optics Expertise

Gaussian beam theory

Diffractive optics

Polarization optics

Fibre Optics Experience

Fibre characterization

Optical coupling techniques

Fibre alignment

Insertion loss optimization

Optical Testing & Characterization

Laboratory-based optical measurements

Optical test setup development

Performance characterization

Experimental troubleshooting

Python

Data analysis

Test automation

Experimental data processing

Instrument control

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Photonics

Bachelor's degree in Physics

Bachelor's degree in Optoelectronics

Bachelor's degree in Similar relevant discipline

Tools

Zemax

Job description

Please note that this is a contract role providing services to Microsoft through external staffing partners of Allegis Global Solutions (AGS). If you are selected for this role, you will be employed by AGS and will not be an employee of Microsoft.

Role Summary

Microsoft Research Cambridge is hiring a Senior Optical Engineer to help develop the optical technologies that will power future AI infrastructure and next-generation AI clusters.

This is a highly hands-on R&D engineering role focused on designing optical systems, building experiments, performing optical measurements, automating tests, and solving complex fibre-optic challenges. The role sits at the intersection of research and product development, helping turn new optical concepts into real-world solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Conduct optical characterization and validation testing.
• Troubleshoot and refine existing optical measurement setups.
• Design and optimize optical assemblies using Zemax and physical optics principles.
• Perform optical tolerancing and support component specification development.
• Design and build optical alignment, assembly, and test systems.
• Improve laboratory test automation and measurement efficiency.
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems teams on packaged optical assemblies.
• Work with external suppliers and Microsoft product teams on technology development.

Must-Have Skills

• Optical System Design
• Zemax (strong preference)
• Ray-tracing software
• Optical design and optimization
• Physical Optics Expertise
• Gaussian beam theory
• Diffractive optics
• Polarization optics
• Fibre Optics Experience
• Fibre characterization
• Optical coupling techniques
• Fibre alignment
• Insertion loss optimization
• Optical Testing & Characterization
• Laboratory-based optical measurements
• Optical test setup development
• Performance characterization
• Experimental troubleshooting
• Python
• Data analysis
• Test automation
• Experimental data processing
• Instrument control
• Education
• Bachelor's degree in:
• Optical Engineering
• Photonics
• Physics
• Optoelectronics
• Similar relevant discipline

Preferred

• Master's degree
• PhD

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Advanced optical alignment techniques
• Automated optical test systems
• Optical packaging experience
• Silicon photonics
• Photonic integrated circuits (PICs)
• High-speed optical interconnects
• Datacenter optics
• AI infrastructure technologies
• Manufacturing transfer experience
• Supplier/vendor management

Ideal Experience

Experience Level Guidance

Bachelor's

• 8+ years relevant experience

Master's

• 5+ years relevant experience

PhD

• 3+ years post-PhD industry or applied research experience

Additional Details

• Location: Cambridge, England
• Duration: 8 months 26 days
• Pay Range: £344/day to £388/day (PAYE)
• Shift Timing: Monday to Friday (Business Hours)
• Weekly Schedule: 40 hours

As a workplace, Allegis Global Solutions focuses on relationships – with each other, our clients and our candidates. In fact, serving others is one of our core values. We support open communication and recognize that giving constructive criticism can be even harder than receiving it. We appreciate the fearless and the passionate, who force us to be better. Everything we do sits on a pillar of diversity, equity and inclusion - diverse perspectives, backgrounds and ideas achieve innovation and make us successful.

Please note that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position. These tools may analyze application materials and assist our team in identifying candidates whose qualifications best match the requirements of the role. If you have questions about our use of AI in the hiring process, or would like more information, please contact us.

Pay Rate Range

344 - 388 GBP daily