Senior Optical Engineer

London Source: WhatJobs

See advert for pay

Overview

In this role you will design and optimize production-focused optical systems, bridging simulation and real-world performance. You will work on Zemax-based lens designs, tolerancing and integration with mechanical packaging, while ensuring manufacturability and cost goals. You will collaborate with suppliers and production teams to translate requirements into measurable optical targets and quality criteria, contributing to scalable, reliable optical systems. This position offers hands-on influence across design, manufacturing, and supplier collaboration within an onsite London setting.

Responsibilities

Design and optimize optical systems using Zemax OpticStudio
Develop lens designs, custom optics and beam shaping approaches
Perform optical tolerancing and tolerance stack-up analysis
Translate product requirements into optical performance targets and acceptance criteria
Work with mechanical engineers on mounting, packaging and design for assembly
Connect optical design decisions to manufacturability, cost and supplier capability
Collaborate with optics suppliers on specifications, tolerances and feasibility
Correlate simulation models with prototype data and assembly results
Support production-focused development including cost reduction and quality control
Review optical designs and contribute to technical decision-making

Key requirements

3–5 years experience in optical design and engineering
Strong experience using Zemax OpticStudio for design and tolerancing
Experience with lens design for optical systems or camera assemblies
Understanding of tolerance stack-up and system-level performance
Experience linking optical design to manufacturing, cost and assembly constraints
Ability to assess thermal and mechanical impacts on optical performance
Experience working with optics suppliers and production environments
Strong communication and documentation skills
Experience using Python for analysis or modelling