Optical Engineer

Are you the next Optical or Senior Optical Engineer to drive forward our next-generation laser processing platform? If so, Opsydia would love to hear from you as we progress into new markets and opportunities.

Spun out from the University of Oxford in 2017, Opsydia is a specialist laser technology company harnessing decades of academic excellence and experience in adaptive optics that enable the writing of features in transparent materials. Our writing technology has gone on to provide functionalities across many scientific and industrial areas.

Our technology provides a platform for functional devices in transparent materials such as optical glass and diamond, with several disruptive applications ranging from datacoms, quantum to sensing devices.

THE ROLE

As an Optical Engineer, you will contribute to systems development for new and existing products, working closely with systems, mechanical and application engineers to realise the full potential in a wide range of photonic applications.

You will be working on early-stage research and development projects and have the opportunity to interact with customers, our academic founders, and the early adopters of our technology. This is a broad-scope role from ideation to real product deployment.

Across internal R&D and external customer projects in all application areas, you will :-

• Work with femtosecond lasers to develop direct laser writing processes for existing and new systems. This will include, but not be limited to waveguide writing for photonic integrated circuits.
• Work with complex optical systems, including cutting edge adaptive optics to deliver exciting solutions for our customers.
• Design, configure & test laboratory optical systems for new product capabilities which address challenging problems
• Complete proof of concept trials and live demos for prospective customers
• Develop robust control solutions for industrial systems
• Contribute to machine vision development
• Become an internal technical expert, reporting project results to progress early-stage developments towards a product launch
• Produce technical documentation for, and assist with, the build of production systems where technical expertise is required

We aim to build a world-class team with complementary skills and expect applicants with significant experience working in research or technical environments to be comfortable taking leadership roles on technical projects.

ABOUT YOU

You will have a significant technical background, ideally with 5+ years of experience, with a degree or equivalent experience in the physical sciences, engineering or related fields and enjoy working as part of a small collaborative team.

You will be able to demonstrate that you have the following:-

• Experience in photonics-based applications, from single mode fiber optic coupling techniques to photonic integrated circuits
• Developed precision instrumentation or systems which include the use of optics, for example laser based systems
• Knowledge of adaptive optics concepts
• Enthusiasm and interest in understanding complex technical systems
• Demonstrable hands-on experience of optical systems which include machine vision elements
• A proactive approach to problem solving
• A creative mindset, comfortable both developing new ideas and employing existing technical solutions
• Excellent capability for record-keeping, organisation and communication skills

For this role, we expect applicants with more experience in metrology, optics or control-related projects within a technical capacity from either industry or academia.

You might also have:-

• Worked with ultrafast lasers
• Worked with adaptive optics
• Experience with waveguide or optical fibre performance characterisation
• Experience with mechanical design or optical simulations
• Configured or operated precision motion control systems
• Experience developing software or writing basic scripts
• Experience with microscopes and a familiarity with other analytical techniques such as confocal microscopy, Raman, AFM and SEM
• Used python or MATLAB to develop data analysis techniques
• Developed products and produced documentation to demonstrate conformity with regulatory standards
• An understanding of intellectual property development
• Previous involvement with project management or project planning
  

If you don't meet all of the criteria above, but are interested in the role, please apply or get in touch to discuss further.

The role is advertised as full-time.

We are pleased to accommodate flexible and hybrid working where appropriate but, as a hardware company, we find hands-on system and collaboration time to be highly valuable, so encourage time spent in the office and expect this when required.

As part of the recruitment process a selected candidate will be required to undergo security screening to BS7858.

Closing date: Friday 1st August 2025 . Applications will be reviewed as received so this vacancy may be closed earlier; early applications are therefore encouraged.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

Salary range: £52,000 - £58,000pa (dependent upon level of skill and experience)

Benefits

• Hybrid & flexible working arrangements
• Share option scheme
• Annual bonus scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Group Income Protection and Life Assurance
• Enhanced family leave
• Company matched pension contributions up to 5%. Salary sacrifice arrangement is available
• 25 days paid leave plus bank holidays
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Mental Health and Wellbeing support and activities
• Supported further study or training for your professional and personal development
• Volunteering opportunities

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We are an equal opportunities employer and commit to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace whilst creating an environment which promotes dignity and respect for all. We post our job descriptions across a wide range of recruitment platforms to enable us to garner the most diverse range of candidates we possibly can.

ADJUSTMENTS AND PROVISIONS

We are dedicated to putting in place any reasonable adjustments that may be required to meet the needs of those who wish to apply for a position at Opsydia.

Please share if you have a declared disability, for example but not limited to: a social communication impairment such as autism spectrum disorder, a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD; a mental health condition, a sensory impairment affecting sight or hearing or a physical or mobility impairment.

ALTERNATIVE FORMATS

We can provide our job descriptions in an alternative format of video or audio description.

ABOUT OPSYDIA

Opsydia provides commercial systems based on adaptive optics which can directly generate photonic structures in a variety of transparent materials. Learn more at

The company is based in the Centre for Innovation & Enterprise at Begbroke Science Park north of Oxford. Begbroke offers comprehensive facilities on-site including a restaurant, coffee shop, free parking and a minibus service between the park and Oxford.

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