foundational - Senior Optical Engineer
Requirements
• Extensive experience in optical engineering, ideally on astronomical, laser, defence or space instruments • Strong skills in optical design software (Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V or similar) and in tolerance analysis • Hands-on alignment, metrology and test experience (interferometry, wavefront sensing, radiometry) • A working knowledge of high-power laser optics: coatings, contamination and damage thresholds • Clear technical writing for design reviews and bids • Experience with satellite laser ranging, lidar, free-space optical comms or adaptive optics • Stray light analysis
Responsibilities
• Lead optical design for transmit and receive paths, from requirements and tolerancing through to verified hardware • Design and test optics for tracking satellites in daylight and at night • Support the design and test of retroreflector arrays for LEO and MEO missions • Run trade studies with suppliers on telescopes, windows, coatings and filters • Mentor graduate and junior engineers, and set our standards for optical design and test • Write technical content for ESA and customer programmes
Benefits
• A high-impact role with real ownership at an early-stage, venture-backed spacetech company • EMI share options (UK employees) • 25 Days Annual Leave + Bank Holidays • Enhanced Parental Leave • Cycle to work schemes • Work alongside engineers and scientists across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics • Offices in central London, with snacks, tea, coffee and regular socials • We actively champion underrepresented groups and seek to bridge gaps in our workforce. If you're excited by the role but don't match every point, or you’re seeking a part time role, please apply anyway and add a note into your application. Building the best team is our priority.
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