Are you the next Senior Software Engineer to help build and shape the software behind our next‑generation laser processing platform? If so, Opsydia would love to hear from you as we expand into new markets and unlock new technical opportunities. Spun out from the University of Oxford in 2017, Opsydia is a specialist laser technology company harnessing decades of academic excellence and deep expertise in adaptive optics to enable the writing of features in transparent materials. Our writing technology has gone on to provide functionalities across scientific and industrial domains. Our platform enables the creation of functional devices in optical glass, diamond, and other transparent media, powering disruptive applications in datacoms, quantum technologies, and advanced sensing. THE ROLE As a Senior Software Engineer, you will play a central role in designing, developing, and delivering the software that enables Opsydia’s high‑precision, ultrafast‑laser systems. You will take technical ownership of core components, contribute to architectural decisions, and ensure that our applications are secure, reliable, and robust. This role involves providing technical leadership and mentoring for a small software team under the direction of the Head of Software, setting engineering standards, and helping establish best practices across the full development lifecycle. You will collaborate closely with Systems Engineering, R&D Scientists, and customers to translate complex requirements into robust, maintainable software solutions. Initial scope includes strengthening our software platform, enhancing existing tooling, developing new features for emerging applications, and supporting deployments of systems into global customer environments. This role will suit an experienced engineer who combines hands‑on coding excellence with leadership capability, enjoys solving complex problems that span hardware and software boundaries, and thrives in a dynamic, innovative environment. It is ideal for someone who wants to guide engineering efforts while remaining deeply technical and personally invested in the product. ABOUT YOU You may be a Senior Software Engineer today or a Software Lead looking for your next challenge. What matters most is your ability to deliver high‑quality software, guide others with clarity and empathy, and positively shape how software is developed at Opsydia. You enjoy owning problems end‑to‑end, contributing to architectural decisions, and helping those around you grow while remaining deeply hands‑on. You will be able to demonstrate that you have: Experience in a senior or lead engineering role, including mentoring or guiding small teams You’ve previously supported, coached, or technically guided other engineers. You can break down complex tasks, review code constructively, support technical decision‑making, and help build a culture of quality and accountability. You understand how to balance autonomy with support and how to elevate the performance of a small, focused engineering team. Strong programming capability - C# and Python preferred You are an experienced, confident developer who has delivered production‑quality code in complex systems. You write clean, well‑structured, maintainable software and know how to make informed trade‑offs between speed, robustness, and complexity. Experience with C# (including .NET framework),Python (for tooling, data processing, or analysis) and UI design and implementation is highly valuable. Experience designing software for systems that interact with hardware You have previous experience writing control software for complex hardware systems that may include high precision motion control and machine vision. You understand how to handle asynchronous events, timing considerations, error states, and signal/data flow between software and hardware components. Understanding of application, system, and network security principles You understand fundamental concepts of IT Security, secure coding practices, safe handling of data, access control, and dependency management, as well as the security considerations unique to deployed hardware systems. You can identify potential vulnerabilities early and design with resilience in mind. Experience with modern development practices You’ve contributed to or improved engineering workflows, tooling, and automation, including CI pipelines, automated testing, documentation, clear versioning and reliable release processes. You’re committed to practices that ensure code quality while enabling fast iteration. Degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field You bring a strong technical foundation from academic training or equivalent real‑world experience, enabling you to analyse problems rigorously and design systems thoughtfully. You may also have: Experience in an early‑stage company or a small, high‑performing engineering team You understand how to operate effectively in environments with evolving requirements, rapid decision‑making, and a high degree of ownership. Experience developing software for industrial equipment, IoT devices, or cloud‑connected systems Any background in systems that bridge physical devices and remote control/data layers is beneficial—particularly where reliability, uptime, and safe operation are key. Familiarity with Azure or other cloud platforms Experience deploying services, managing infrastructure, or building cloud‑connected features will be an advantage as our platform capabilities expand. Knowledge of networking and network security Understanding how systems communicate, authenticate, and maintain integrity across local and remote networks is valuable for both our product deployments and internal tooling. Background in cybersecurity or security for hardware‑integrated systems 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 BPSS standard. Closing date: Friday 27th March 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: £65,000-£70,000pa. 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 facilities on-site including a restaurant, coffee shop, free parking and a minibus service between the park and Oxford. 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