Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer - Prototyping & Alignment

Allegis Global Solutions Limited (AGS); Cambridge; On-site; GBP 86,000 - 97,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Pension

Job summary

Microsoft Research Cambridge is seeking a senior hands-on Mechanical Engineer to design, build, test, and refine precision mechanical systems used in advanced photonics and fibre-optic research. The role involves hardware prototyping, lab troubleshooting, and close collaboration with researchers in a fast-moving, research-driven environment.

The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience, strong CAD skills (SolidWorks preferred), and hands-on experience with rapid

Qualifications

• High-precision mechanical design experience required.
• Hands-on hardware prototyping and testing essential.
• Ability to translate experimental needs into robust hardware solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design precision mechanical and opto-mechanical systems for optical experiments.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models and manufacturing drawings.
• Build prototypes using 3D printing, machining, laser cutting, and workshop tools.
• Assemble and align high-precision mechanical systems.
• Support fibre handling, positioning, and alignment hardware development.
• Conduct testing, debugging, and performance validation.
• Apply DFMA principles to improve manufacturability and assembly efficiency.
• Select suitable materials based on thermal, mechanical, and environmental requirements.
• Work closely with optics researchers to translate experimental needs into practical hardware.
• Manage multiple prototype developments simultaneously.

Skills

High accuracy mechanisms

Tight tolerance assemblies

Sub-micron alignment

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Manufacturing drawings

Prototype assembly

Workshop/lab work

Hardware debugging

Machining

Rapid prototyping

Fabrication processes

Supplier engagement

Design for Manufacture & Assembly

Material selection (metals/polymers)

Thermal/mechanical analysis

Real hardware testing

Opto-mechanical engineering

Optical alignment systems

Free-space optics

Fibre optics

Waveguides

CNC programming

Multi-axis machining

CAM software

ANSYS/FEA/thermal analysis

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Job description

Microsoft Research Cambridge is seeking a senior hands-on Mechanical Engineer to design, build, test, and refine precision mechanical systems used in advanced photonics and fibre-optic research. The role involves hardware prototyping, lab troubleshooting, and close collaboration with researchers in a fast-moving, research-driven environment.

The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of mechanical engineering experience, strong CAD skills (SolidWorks preferred), and hands-on experience with rapid