Optical Design Engineer

At DiPOLE Systems, we are developing laser systems for real-world deployment in advanced manufacturing, energy and defence. The challenge is not just achieving exceptional performance, but delivering hardware with the robustness and repeatability those applications demand.

We're a venture-backed deep tech company building high-performance laser systems that run at both high power and high repetition rates. We spun out from core IP developed at STFC's Central Laser Facility and we're focused on translating breakthrough science and technology into equipment that can be manufactured, deployed and supported in the field. DIPOLE systems are already deployed at leading international facilities.

We've closed our seed round and we're scaling the design team to reduce size and cost of what's already been demonstrated in the lab- turning advanced prototype assemblies into robust products we can manufacture, deploy and support at scale.

We're hiring an Optical Design Engineer to lead development of optical architectures for our next-generation, productised laser systems. You'll be hands-on, trusted with important decisions, and supported by a multidisciplinary team- owning key design choices and engineering trade-offs. You'll work closely with our mechanical engineers and scientists, reporting to our Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

What Success Looks Like

You'll help us develop new optical designs, test prototype concepts and turn laboratory builds into repeatable, manufacturable products- raising robustness, serviceability and compliance without compromising performance.

What You'll Do

• Lead optical design of advanced laser systems from concept through to build, test, manufacture and deployment
• Own critical design decisions and trade-offs across performance, reliability, cost and manufacturability
• Plan and execute stray-light, ghost and aberration analysis to de-risk optical designs
• Work day-to-day with scientists to define requirements, and mechanical and systems engineers to deliver integrated, testable subsystems
• Shape productisation: modularity, serviceability, documentation, supplier engagement and build readiness
• Mentor and support other designers as the team grows

Essential

• Strong optical design experience (Zemax Optic Studio preferred; strong equivalents considered)
• Experience of geometric optics (aberrations, MTF, stray light and ghost analysis)
• Experience of physical optics (diffraction, coherence, Gaussian beams)
• Experience of optics tolerancing, optimisation, and sensitivity analysis
• Experience taking complex optical designs from prototype through build/test and towards repeatable manufacture (or clear evidence you can lead that transition)
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and making pragmatic trade-offs, communicating clearly as you go
• Clear technical communication skills and documentation habits

Desirable

• Understanding of lasers and optical physics, ideally high power and imaging solutions
• Free-space laser propagation and optical materials
• Modelling and measurement of optical aberrations
• Experience of interfacing ray tracing with Multiphysics software to model impact of thermally-induced stress on optical performance
• Translation of requirements into optical specifications and working with suppliers to optimise manufacture (fabrication, choice of coatings, LIDT, assembly constraints)
• Simulation, data analysis, and automation (MATLAB, Python)
• Experience of working with laboratory optical test and measurement equipment
• Awareness of laser safety practices and standards

Why join DiPOLE

• Be early in a venture-backed deep tech company as we go from prototype to product and set the standard for how we design
• Work on technology that’s already proven in real-world environments
• Work directly with senior leadership and influence product strategy
• Tackle challenging, real-world laser system problems with direct relevance to deployable products
• We move fast, but we value sustainable pace, thoughtful design reviews and strong documentation
• Be based at Harwell Campus, Didcot, one of the UK’s leading environments for advanced science and engineering
• Develop ambitious dual-use technology at the frontier of innovation.

Compensation & Practicalities

Salary: £50,000 - £75,000, depending on experience. Equity: employee share options (we expect to offer options as part of the package; exact grant depends on experience and will be discussed during the process). Typically, options vest over time (often with a 1-year cliff); we'll confirm the scheme and terms during the process. We're supportive of flexible working where compatible with hands-on lab and build work (e.g., flexible start/finish times).

Hiring process

We aim to run a clear process: an application form, an initial call, a technical interview, and a practical/design discussion (we'll share what to expect in advance). We're happy to make reasonable adjustments for candidates who need them.