Senior Optical Engineer (contract)

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

Job summary

Microsoft Research Cambridge is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to help develop optical technologies powering future AI infrastructure and AI clusters. This hands‑on role focuses on designing optical systems, building experiments, performing measurements, and automating tests at the intersection of research and product development.

The position is a contract role through Allegis Global Solutions (AGS); you will be employed by AGS, working on site in Cambridge, UK, with pay ranging £344–£388

Qualifications

• Experience in optical system design and ray-tracing.
• Hands-on lab experience with optical testing and characterization.
• Familiarity with Python for data analysis and test automation.

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.

Skills

Optical System Design

Physical Optics

Optical Testing

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering

Photonics

Physics

Tools

Zemax

Job description

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom (On-site)

Contract (8 months 26 days)

Hands - on Optical Alignment & Lab R&D Experience

Optical System Design (Zemax)

Python for Data Analysis & Test Automation

Optical Testing & Characterization

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

1. Optical System Design

Ray-tracing software

Optical design and optimization

2. Physical Optics Expertise

Gaussian beam theory

Diffractive optics

Polarization optics

Optical coupling techniques

4. Optical Testing & Characterization

Laboratory-based optical measurements

Optical test setup development

Performance characterization

5. Python

Data analysis

Instrument control

6. Education

Bachelor's degree in:

Optical Engineering

Photonics

Physics

Preferred

PhD

Nice-to-Have Skills

Advanced optical alignment techniques

Automated optical test systems

Optical packaging experience

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs)

High-speed optical interconnects

Datacenter optics

AI infrastructure technologies

Manufacturing transfer experience

Experience Level Guidance

Ideal Experience

Bachelor's

8+ years relevant experience

Master's

5+ years relevant experience

PhD

3+ years post-PhD industry or applied research experience

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.