Optical Physicist

Overview

Join to apply for the Optical Physicist role at HoloMem. Onsite 5 days a week – Chiswick, London.

Design the Future of Sustainable Storage

At HoloMem, we are building the future of data storage — an ultra high density, highly durable, and environmentally sustainable solution to one of the world’s most pressing technological challenges. Our pioneering holographic storage technology encodes data within advanced polymer materials using laser light, creating a resilient and long term alternative to today’s energy intensive cloud data storage infrastructure.

Having graduated from both the Intel Ignite and Deeptech Labs accelerators and been awarded two Innovate UK Smart Grants HoloMem is continuing to grow its multidisciplinary team of scientists and innovators. For this role we are seeking a brilliant and creative Optical Systems Engineer to work at the heart of our core technology, designing and building sophisticated optical systems that write and read data at unprecedented densities. This is an opportunity to solve fundamental challenges in photonics and make a lasting, positive impact on a global scale.

The Role

As an Optical Systems Engineer, you will own critical aspects of our technology from concept to validation. You will work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in holographic data storage. Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Architect and Design: Conceive, model, and optimise novel optical architectures for high-density holographic recording and retrieval systems. Your work will involve complex imaging and illumination systems, requiring a deep understanding of both geometric and physical optics.
• Simulate and Analyse: Perform rigorous simulation and analysis, including raytracing, physical optics propagation, and tolerance analysis, to predict system performance and guide design decisions.
• Build and Prototype: Take your designs from the screen to the lab. You will be responsible for the hands-on assembly, alignment, and integration of complex optomechanical prototypes in our well-equipped workshop.
• Test and Validate: Develop and execute comprehensive test plans to characterise optical system performance. You will use advanced metrology techniques to validate that your systems meet demanding specifications for wavefront error, resolution, and signal integrity.
• Collaborate and Innovate: Work closely with our mechanical, electronics, and software engineers to solve complex, interdisciplinary challenges. You will participate in design reviews, contribute to our intellectual property portfolio, and help shape the future of our core technology.

Who You Are

We are looking for a pragmatic, creative engineer who thrives at the intersection of theory and practice. You bring a strong optical foundation, with the range and curiosity to work across disciplines and solve real-world, physical problems.

Essential Foundations

• A Master’s degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline. A Bachelor’s degree with exceptional demonstrated experience will also be considered.
• A deep, first-principles understanding of physical optics, including diffraction, interference, wave propagation, and polarisation.
• A strong theoretical and practical foundation in Fourier optics, as it is fundamental to the principles of holography.
• Proven ability to design and analyse complex optical systems, such as high-resolution imaging lenses or coherent beam delivery systems.

Demonstrated Experience

• Proven, hands-on experience building, aligning, and debugging complex optical systems in a laboratory setting.
• A strong portfolio of previous work or projects that showcases your ability to solve challenging optical problems. We want to see what you have designed, built, or tested.
• Proficiency in designing and tolerancing optical systems using industry-standard simulation software (e.g., Zemax, CODE V, OSLO, FRED). Experience with any major package is highly valued.
• Strong programming skills in a scientific computing language (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for data analysis, custom simulation, and process automation.
• Familiarity with optomechanical design principles and experience collaborating with mechanical engineers using 3D CAD software (e.g., OnShape, SolidWorks).
• Knowledge of optical component fabrication processes and their impact on design and tolerancing.
• Experience with lasers, optoelectronics, and detector systems.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV to careers@holomem.co.uk.

Role Details

• Seniority level: Entry level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
• Industries: Technology, Information and Internet

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