Principal Optical Engineer - Imaging & Laser Systems – Bristol (Hybrid)
Defence | UAVs | Electro-Optics | Autonomous Systems
This role will be joining a rapidly growing defence technology business developing advanced uncrewed and autonomous platforms, and we’re looking for a Principal Optical Engineer to join its expanding UK engineering team.
This is much more than an optical design role - You’ll become the technical owner for optical design and performance across advanced electro-optical gimbal systems, working alongside electronics, mechanical, control and software engineers to develop imaging and laser payloads for demanding real-world applications. The role spans the complete journey from sensor and lens selection through optical architecture, modelling and performance budgets to alignment, environmental qualification and production test.
What you’ll be working on
- Owning the optical architecture of imaging and laser payloads
- Sensor and lens selection, stray-light control, athermalization and window design
- Developing optical performance budgets covering resolution, detection/recognition range, field of view, radiometry, laser divergence and spot size
- Defining alignment, boresight and calibration methods
- Supporting cleanroom assembly of laser and optical modules
- Taking optical systems through temperature, vibration, humidity and environmental qualification
- Working closely with specialist optical suppliers and reviewing designs and test data
- Acting as the optical authority at design reviews and mentoring other engineers
What we’re looking for
- You’ll likely have around 10+ years’ experience designing and integrating optical systems, with a degree in Physics, Optical Engineering or a related discipline.
- The key thing we’re looking for is somebody who has actually delivered imaging or laser systems into tightly packaged real-world applications – ideally airborne, vehicle-based, defence, aerospace or similarly demanding environments.
Experience we’re particularly interested in includes: Optical system design & integration | Imaging systems | Laser systems | Optical modelling & tolerancing | Zemax | Alignment | Radiometry | Interferometry | Optical testing | Environmental qualification | Optical suppliers
Why consider it?
- This is an opportunity to join a fast-growing engineering organisation where you’ll have genuine technical ownership rather than being one small part of a huge programme.
- The environment is fast-paced and engineering-led. You’ll be working on mission-critical technology across Defence, Security and autonomous systems, solving problems that haven’t necessarily been solved before and making real design decisions as test data develops.
- The package includes a highly competitive salary, discretionary annual bonus, up to 10% matched pension, private medical insurance, 25 days’ holiday + Bank Holidays and hybrid working.
- Due to the nature of the work, applicants must be eligible and willing to undergo UK SC Security Clearance. Occasional UK and international travel may also be required.
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