Senior Optical Engineer - R&D
Photonics
Hampshire, UK
Good optical engineers rarely change jobs for a job description.
They move when the technical challenge is genuinely interesting.
This role sits inside a small specialist engineering company developing high-end LED illumination systems used in advanced scientific instrumentation and microscopy. The technology supports researchers and scientists working at the front edge of biomedical and scientific discovery.
The work is complex, experimental and genuinely R&D-led. Engineers here are encouraged to test ideas, prototype quickly and solve real-world optical problems rather than spending their time making incremental design tweaks.
You would join a small core development team working directly with the Technical Director, helping push illumination technology into applications where many people still believe LEDs cannot yet perform.
What you’ll be doing:
Working within a tight-knit R&D team, you’ll contribute across the full development cycle:
• Optical design and modelling (typically using Zemax or similar tools)
• Hands-on laboratory work building and testing prototypes
• Improving performance of existing illumination products
• Developing new optical concepts and technologies
• Collaborating with universities, OEM partners and specialist customers
• Contributing to early-stage discussions around new product opportunities
The environment is highly collaborative. Engineers regularly work through problems together, sketching ideas on whiteboards, testing concepts in the lab and iterating designs quickly.
This isn’t a role where engineering is separated from real problems. The team often engages directly with customers who are trying to solve difficult illumination challenges.
Who this role tends to suit:
You’ll likely come from a Physics, Photonics or Optical Engineering background and enjoy tackling complex technical problems.
Typical experience includes:
• Degree in Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering or similar
• Strong mathematical and analytical ability
• Experience with optical design software such as Zemax (or similar tools)
• Interest in illumination systems, LEDs, optics or imaging technology
• Comfortable working hands-on in a laboratory environment
The company is open to a range of experience levels. Strong graduates, developing engineers and more experienced optical specialists can all be successful here.
For the right person, the role can evolve in different directions. Some engineers focus heavily on optical design and experimentation. Others become technical specialists who engage more directly with customers and industry partners.
Both paths exist within the team.
The environment:
You’ll be joining a collaborative engineering group working on specialist illumination technology for demanding scientific applications.
The company operates at the high end of optical illumination systems rather than commodity lighting products. Projects often involve solving unique problems and developing customised technical solutions.
The culture is curious, experimental and collaborative. Engineers are encouraged to explore ideas, test concepts quickly and learn from both successes and failures.
Location
Based at the company’s R&D facility in Hampshire.
The role is primarily site-based due to laboratory work and specialist equipment, though some flexibility is possible depending on project needs.
Package
• Salary typically £45,000 - £65,000 depending on experience
• Annual company performance bonus
• 37.5 hour working week with flexible hours
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Health insurance options
• Share incentive scheme through parent company
If you’re an optical engineer who enjoys solving difficult technical problems and working close to real-world applications, this role offers the chance to work on technology used by scientists around the world