Lead Engineer – Laser Systems

About the Company

We are an ambitious deep-tech company developing breakthrough technologies at the forefront of photonics and advanced computing. Our team of scientists, engineers, and innovators is working on highly complex technical challenges that have the potential to transform the future of computing.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, well-funded organisation where you will have access to state-of-the-art optics laboratories, custom integrated photonic devices, significant technical resources, and the opportunity to help take cutting-edge technology from research through to industrial-scale deployment.

The Role

We are looking for a Lead Engineer – Laser Systems to architect and develop ultra-stable, low-noise laser systems for a highly demanding next-generation technology platform.

This role will combine system architecture, hands-on experimental development, technical leadership, and product ownership. You will define the technical roadmap for the laser subsystem, lead the validation of critical performance requirements, and bridge the gap between early-stage R&D and a scalable, industrial-grade solution.

You will act as a key technical authority, working across optics, photonics, electronics, controls, mechanical engineering, firmware, and external suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the technical roadmap: Define system and subsystem requirements, ensure requirements flow down to individual components, develop test strategies, and maintain accurate technical documentation.
• Lead hands-on development: Personally oversee experimental validation of critical technical challenges and coordinate the team around detailed development and research plans.
• Drive laser stability and control: Integrate laser hardware, locking electronics, control systems, and feedback loops to achieve demanding noise, stability, and performance requirements.
• Own productisation strategy: Develop and implement DfM, DfT, and DfR strategies to transition advanced laser technology from R&D into a robust, scalable product.
• Make build-vs-buy decisions: Establish appropriate workflows and technical criteria for internal development versus external sourcing.
• Lead cross-functional integration: Work closely with electronics, firmware, mechanical, photonics, and systems teams to define interfaces, dependencies, and clear development hand-off packages.
• Develop vendor strategy: Build relationships with strategic suppliers, define technical specifications and RFQ documentation, develop validation plans, and support technical contract and supply-chain decisions.
• Manage technical risk: Identify and mitigate risks across the R&D roadmap, reducing technical and schedule dependencies and avoiding single points of failure.

Required Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in high-performance photonics or advanced optical systems.
• Deep expertise in semiconductor lasers, optical amplification, and electro-optic modulators.
• Strong experience managing the interaction between optical power, thermal effects, noise, and system stability, including RIN and phase noise.
• Expertise in laser frequency stabilisation, high-bandwidth feedback and servo control systems, and RF/microwave engineering for advanced optical systems.
• Experience developing and testing complex photonic or optical subsystems and taking them from prototype through to scaled deployment.
• Strong background in technical vendor management, including defining SOWs, developing technical specifications, evaluating suppliers, and making complex build-vs-buy decisions.
• Experience with PIC testing, characterisation, or deployment at scale.
• Proven experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) for complex optical or photonic systems.
• A disciplined, data-driven approach to experimental design, troubleshooting, validation, and design for manufacturability.
• Comfortable operating as both a strategic technical leader and hands-on engineer, with the ability to take ownership of complex problems from concept through to delivery.

Why Join?

This is a rare opportunity to take technical ownership of a critical photonic subsystem within a company developing genuinely next-generation technology. You will have significant influence over the technical direction, roadmap, architecture, supplier strategy, and transition from advanced research into a scalable product.

If you enjoy solving difficult problems, leading complex technical programmes, and remaining hands-on in the laboratory while operating at a system and strategic level, this role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact.

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Oliver Logan