Optical Systems Engineer

About the role

We are looking for an Optical Systems Engineer to design, develop, and test laser‑communication optical subsystems that operate in extreme environments. You will work closely with the Product Technical Lead and the optical engineering team to bring our TERRA‑M ground station to market.

Key responsibilities

• Design laser‑communication terminal optical/photonic sub‑systems, including requirement definition and trade‑off analysis.
• Model optical performance, optimise designs and perform tolerancing using tools such as Zemax.
• Conduct breadboard testing to validate models and integrate subsystems for field trials.
• Manage suppliers of optical and photonic components and provide technical leadership for subsystem projects.

Required profile

• Proven experience defining requirements, modelling, and performing trade studies for optical systems.
• Hands‑on experience with photonic components (lasers, detectors, modulators, fibre/free‑space optics) and laboratory testing.
• Ability to assemble, integrate and test optical subsystems and support system‑level trials.

Required skills

• Zemax or similar optical design and analysis software.
• Optical design/analysis, optimisation and tolerancing.
• Experience with lasers (continuous‑wave and pulsed), optical detectors/receivers, modulators, fibre and free‑space optics.
• Laboratory testing of optical and photonic systems.

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on advanced optical systems supporting a world‑changing vision.
• Collaborative, transparent culture with regular socials and weekly company lunches.
• Professional development, competitive salary, equity options, and 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Hybrid work model – office based in Oxford with agreed‑upon remote days.