Are you the next Quality & Operations Manager to drive forward our next-generation laser processing platform? Opsydia is a specialist laser technology company spun out from the University of Oxford, harnessing decades of academic excellence and experience in adaptive optics to write features in transparent materials. Our writing technology supports a wide range of scientific and industrial applications.
As a Quality & Operations Manager, you will own the quality, operational, procurement, and service-support functions that enable Opsydia to scale reliably into new markets. Your remit spans manufacturing operations, supplier management, QMS leadership, NPI readiness, and field-service coordination. You’ll set quality standards, optimise facilities, manage health and safety, and galvanise customer-specific systems to be delivered on time, to cost, and to quality. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you will lead a team of procurement, service and operations specialists.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Management & Continuous Improvement
* Own Opsydia’s QMS, including change control, traceability, and audits.
* Lead IQC, in‑process, and final testing quality processes.
* Oversee RCA investigations, guide 8D problem‑resolution activities, and champion continuous improvement initiatives.
Manufacturing, Safety & Compliance
* Ensure compliance with laser, electrical, EMC, and safety standards.
* Coordinate engineering response to build or test issues.
Operations Leadership & Scaling
* Define and manage production workflows, SOPs, and manufacturing documentation.
* Establish operational rhythms for planning, build readiness, and issue resolution.
* Champion continuous improvements in the production services and lead on new initiatives.
Procurement & Supplier Management
* Own procurement strategy across optics, mechanics, electronics, and motion systems.
* Qualify, negotiate with, and manage suppliers for cost, quality, and delivery.
* Maintain supplier performance metrics and long‑lead planning.
* Partner with engineering on specifications and acceptance criteria.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
* Lead manufacturing readiness from concept to production release.
* Develop build instructions, test protocols, and service requirements.
Service Support & Field Readiness
* Define service procedures, troubleshooting guides, and spare‑parts policy.
* Manage RMA processes and drive structured failure analysis.
* Support customer deployments and service training.
Documentation, Processes & Governance
* Maintain SOPs, build records, quality documentation, and procurement policies.
* Report KPIs covering yield, throughput, supplier performance, and service metrics.
* Ensure that our robust Health and Safety management is upheld and followed.
About You
You are a proven Operations leader with significant experience in operations, quality, procurement and/or manufacturing engineering. This role suits someone who combines enterprising excellence with leadership maturity, thrives in a fast‑moving, innovative environment, and consistently drives clarity, quality, and delivery.
You will be able to demonstrate:
* Working knowledge of ISO 9000 series quality management standards.
* Experience managing suppliers and procurement within an advanced hardware environment.
* Extensive understanding of electromechanical/optical/laser systems.
* Lean, Six-Sigma, or operational excellence expertise.
* Knowledge of service engineering, diagnostics, and support frameworks.
* A hands‑on and practical problem solver.
* Strategic capability, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
You might also have:
* Experience with Project management tools.
* Financial acumen.
* Experience and/or interest in the photonics industry.
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 accommodate flexible and hybrid working where appropriate, but as a hardware company, hands‑on system and collaboration time is highly valuable, so we encourage office attendance when required.
A selected candidate will be required to undergo security screening to BPSS standard.
Closing date: Friday 22nd May 2026. Applications will be reviewed as received so this vacancy may be closed earlier; early applications are therefore encouraged.
What We Offer You
Salary range: £62,500-£65,000 per annum, dependent on 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 opsydia.com.
The company is based in the Centre for Innovation & Enterprise at Begbroke Science Park north of Oxford. Begbroke offers comprehensive on‑site facilities including a restaurant, coffee shop and a minibus service between the park and Oxford.
Your data will be held in line with our recruitment privacy policy available at https://opsydia.com/recruitment-privacy-policy.
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