Laser Systems Engineer - £90k Package - ID48022

Are you at your best when working hands-on with advanced laser systems? Do you enjoy solving complex optical and photonics challenges where precision, reliability and technical judgement matter? Would you like to become the trusted local specialist for sophisticated laser infrastructure at a high-profile UK technical facility?

Our client is an innovative technology organisation operating at the forefront of complex scientific and engineering systems. They are looking for a Laser Systems Engineer to join a specialist technical function and become the key UK-based point of contact for advanced laser systems at their Oxfordshire site.

This is a rare opportunity for an engineer, physicist, photonics specialist or laser systems professional who enjoys end-to-end technical ownership, hands-on troubleshooting and collaboration with highly skilled colleagues across multiple locations.

This is a hands-on, high-impact position where you will take local ownership of advanced laser systems that support mission-critical technical operations. You will have the opportunity to:

• Become the local specialist for sophisticated laser systems at a major UK facility.
• Maintain, troubleshoot and upgrade high-precision optical and laser infrastructure.
• Support complex technical platforms where uptime, reliability and accuracy are essential.
• Work closely with experienced engineering and science teams across different sites.
• Contribute to the development and integration of next-generation laser system architectures.
• Support locally driven R&D, technical improvement and supplier collaboration projects.
• Help align UK operations with wider international technical standards and best practice.
• Share operational learnings across multiple locations to improve system reliability and performance.
• Develop clear technical documentation, procedures and knowledge resources.
• Apply your expertise in an environment where practical engineering judgement has real impact.

You will bring strong hands-on experience with laser systems, optical platforms or photonics equipment, along with the confidence to work independently around complex technical hardware. This role could suit someone who enjoys:

• Working with Class 4 laser systems and precision optical setups.
• Diagnosing and resolving complex laser, optical or control system issues.
• Supporting technical environments where system availability and reliability are important.
• Acting as the go-to local expert while staying connected to a wider specialist team.
• Turning hands-on technical knowledge into robust documentation and procedures.
• Collaborating with engineers, scientists, technical suppliers and operational teams.
• Balancing day-to-day support with longer-term system improvement and development work.

You will build on your experience in areas such as laser maintenance, optical alignment, photonics engineering, experimental systems, laboratory operations, technical troubleshooting, equipment integration or advanced scientific instrumentation.

Our client is open to candidates from a range of advanced technical, scientific, engineering or laboratory backgrounds. You do not need to tick every box to be considered. Useful experience may include:

• A degree in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Photonics or a related technical field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Around 3+ years’ hands-on experience operating, maintaining or troubleshooting Class 4 laser systems.
• Confidence working with complex optical systems and precision laser hardware.
• Experience in a laboratory, production, R&D, engineering or technical operations environment.
• Familiarity with laser safety standards and safe operation of high-power laser systems.
• Ability to investigate technical issues independently and escalate appropriately where needed.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical documentation.
• Fluency in English.
• The right to work in the UK.
• Ability to be based at the Oxfordshire site for the majority of working time.
• Comfort handling and moving technical hardware, including equipment of around 20 kg where required.

Additional experience that would be particularly valuable includes:

• Advanced laser platforms such as Ti:Sapphire systems, SHG systems, diode lasers, fibre amplifiers or similar technologies.
• Frequency stabilisation techniques such as PDH locking, spectroscopy, wavemeters, cavity locks or offset locking.
• Laser subsystems used in highly controlled scientific or engineering environments.
• Control systems, system integration or complex instrumentation.
• Vendor collaboration, supplier development or technical R&D projects.
• Experience supporting equipment across multiple sites or in an operationally critical environment.
• Confidence making sound technical decisions when working under uptime or service pressure.

This is a standout opportunity for a laser systems specialist who wants to take ownership of advanced technical infrastructure in a fast-moving, highly innovative environment. You will play a key role in building local capability, supporting critical systems and contributing to continuous improvement across a wider international technical operation. The role offers a strong mix of hands-on engineering, troubleshooting, documentation, R&D contribution and cross-site collaboration. For someone who enjoys precision, complexity and responsibility, this is a genuinely distinctive career move.

This role is based in Oxfordshire, with the successful candidate spending the majority of their working time on site due to the hands-on nature of the position.

Our recruitment agency and our client are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful and accessible recruitment process. Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. Selection decisions are based on skills, potential, experience and suitability for the role, without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.

Interested in becoming the local laser systems expert for advanced technical infrastructure at a leading UK facility? Apply today to discuss this Laser Systems Engineer opportunity in confidence.