At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build innovative optical instruments for personalised medicine.
- Company: Join a leading deep-tech startup transforming healthcare with AI.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, remote work, private healthcare, and free snacks.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for creativity and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree in Physics or related field; hands-on optical system experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Hello! We're looking for an awesome Optical Instrumentation Engineer to join our team on our journey to revolutionize personalized medicine.
- System design & assembly: Personally design, build, align, and calibrate novel optical analytical instruments (e.g., Raman, FTIR, fluorescence, scattering) from concept and component selection through to bench assembly and validation.
- Hands‑on prototyping: Solve optical/mechanical design challenges, design custom components/fixtures, and iterate rapidly to hit performance targets.
- Systems integration: Integrate optics with detectors/light sources, motion/actuation, electronics, fluidics, and software control to deliver fully functional prototypes.
- Testing & validation: Plan and execute experiments; analyze data to troubleshoot and optimize SNR, resolution, stability, dynamic range; own verification against specifications.
- Technical guidance: Serve as in‑house subject‑matter expert for spectroscopy—advise on component selection (gratings, filters, objectives, fibers, detectors), system architecture, and experimental methodology.
- Documentation & knowledge transfer: Maintain design files, BOMs, alignment procedures, and test reports; ensure reproducibility; support IP filings and hand‑off to manufacturing.
- Cross‑functional collaboration: Work closely with scientists, assay developers, data scientists, and QA/RA to ensure instruments meet biological, analytical, and regulatory needs.
- Safety & compliance: Uphold lab/laser safety; support design controls and documentation aligned with ISO 13485 (and related standards when in scope).
- Innovation: Track advances in spectroscopy/optics; prototype and evaluate new architectures to push platform capability.
This role is based in London and collaborates with teams in the UK and abroad.
An advanced degree (PhD or exceptional MSc) in Physics, Optics/Photonics, Nanoscience, or related engineering field.
3+ years industry experience designing, building, and operating complex optical systems from scratch in a lab environment.
Deep, practical knowledge of Raman/FTIR/fluorescence/scattering instrumentation and how to build/align such systems.
Strong hands‑on skills in opto‑mechanics, precision alignment, stray‑light control, and thermal/vibration management.
Experience with data acquisition & control (e.g., Python/Matlab/C++/LabVIEW, pyVISA; motion stages/controllers).
Plus: Familiarity with optical & mechanical CAD (e.g., Zemax/OpticStudio, SolidWorks/Onshape) and tolerance analysis.
Plus: experience maturing prototypes toward production (DfX, manufacturability, reliability), and mentoring junior engineers/scientists.
Advantageous: fiber optics, micro‑optics, microfluidics, laser safety, electronics, and signal processing/statistics.
Builder’s mindset: hands‑on, resourceful, and relentless about quality.
Low‑ego collaborator who elevates a multidisciplinary team.
Mission‑driven and patient‑centered, comfortable in a fast‑paced startup.
We share a passion for being part of a mission that matters, and we are always looking for curious and collaborative people who share our values and want to be part of our journey.
If that sounds like a fit for you, click the apply button and join us. You’ve read all this way but you’re missing a skill or two? No problem, it’s our job to upskill you to take your career to the next level. What we’re trying to say is, don’t be afraid to apply if you don’t tick all the boxes.
Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics[...] employer: Ilof Intelligent Lab On Fiber
iLoF is an innovative deep-tech startup based in London, dedicated to revolutionising personalized medicine through cutting-edge optical instrumentation. With a vibrant work culture that promotes creativity and collaboration, employees enjoy flexible working hours, private healthcare, and opportunities for professional growth within a mission-driven team. Join us to be part of a transformative journey in healthcare, where your contributions can make a significant impact on millions of patients worldwide.
Contact Details:
Ilof Intelligent Lab On Fiber Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics[...]
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, prototypes, and any hands-on work you've done. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise in optical instrumentation and make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to spectroscopy and optical systems. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they align with our mission at iLoF. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics[...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for optical instrumentation and personalized medicine shine through. We want to see your excitement about the role and how it aligns with our mission at iLoF.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in spectroscopy and optical systems. We love seeing how your skills match up with what we’re looking for, so don’t hold back on showcasing your hands-on projects!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your achievements and experiences are easy to read and understand. Bullet points can be your best friend here!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ilof Intelligent Lab On Fiber
✨Know Your Instruments
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of optical analytical instruments like Raman, FTIR, and fluorescence. Be ready to discuss how you've designed, built, or calibrated these systems in the past. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have hands-on experience too.
✨Showcase Your Prototyping Skills
Prepare to talk about specific challenges you've faced in prototyping and how you overcame them. Highlight your ability to iterate quickly and hit performance targets, as this is crucial for the role. Bring examples of custom components or fixtures you've designed to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Collaboration is Key
Since this role involves working closely with scientists and data scientists, be ready to share examples of successful cross-functional collaborations. Discuss how you’ve communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical team members, as this will show your ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.
✨Stay Current with Innovations
Research recent advances in spectroscopy and optics before your interview. Being able to discuss new architectures or technologies will impress your interviewers and show that you’re passionate about pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the field.
