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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering teams to innovate in personalised medicine and drive impactful projects.
- Company: Join a top-rated deep tech startup transforming healthcare with AI and photonics.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, remote work, private healthcare, and a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering leadership, preferably in medical devices or life sciences.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with opportunities for creativity and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Engineering Lead | AI | Photonics | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup
We’re looking for an awesome Engineering Lead | AI | Photonics | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup to join our team on our journey to revolutionize personalized medicine.
About your Role
- Technical & site leadership: Provide hands-on technical direction and manage day-to-day engineering operations; ensure engineering goals map to company strategy and product roadmap.
- Build & lead the team: Assemble, mentor, and inspire a high-performing, multidisciplinary group across hardware, software, optics/photonics, systems, and data—fostering innovation, accountability, and resilience.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration: Act as the principal technical liaison with scientists/assay developers; translate clinical and biological needs into robust engineering solutions.
- Cross-site integration: Bridge our UK and international sites – standardize practices, promote knowledge sharing, and keep priorities aligned.
- Project execution & delivery: Drive programs from concept to verification/validation; define milestones, allocate resources, manage risks/RAIDs, and land reliable systems on time.
- Innovation & resilience: Bring first-hand startup experience to inform pragmatic decisions; lead through iteration cycles and setbacks with a calm, data-driven approach.
- Regulatory & quality alignment: Ensure engineering practices support ISO 13485, ISO 15189, IVDR, and UKCA expectations; partner closely with QA/RA on design controls and documentation.
This role is based in London and will collaborate daily with teams in the UK and abroad.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Nanoscience, Biomedical, Optical, Electrical, Physics Engineering (or related); PhD a plus.
- 6+ years leading engineering or product development, ideally in medical devices/diagnostics/life-science instrumentation.
- Proven track record building and managing multidisciplinary teams (hardware, software, data science, and life sciences) in fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with clinical scientists/assay developers/healthcare partners.
- Deep expertise in at least one core engineering area and broad fluency across optics/photonics; AI/ML exposure is a strong plus.
- Exceptional communication and program leadership skills; comfortable spanning technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Familiarity with ISO 13485, IVDR, and UKCA in product development (ISO 15189 exposure desirable).
- Startup experience (including learning from failure/recovery cycles) strongly preferred.
- Builder’s mindset with high ownership, urgency, and empathy.
- Low-ego, highly collaborative leader who elevates others.
- Mission-driven and patient-centered.
iLoF in a nutshell
As personalized medicine becomes the norm, scientists, patients, and healthcare systems worldwide face massive barriers in providing the right treatment to the right patient.
Recognized by CB Insights and Financial Times as one of the most promising Digital Health companies in the world, iLoF is building an AI-powered platform capable of transforming precision medicine.
Our goal is to become the platform that democratizes access to personalized medicine for millions of people living with complex diseases around the globe.
Thanks to our proprietary optical fingerprint library of disease biomarkers and biological profiles we can offer personalized patient screening and stratification in a faster and more affordable way, saving up to 40% of the cost and 70% of the time while enabling a more human patient experience.
Supported by leading institutions like Microsoft Ventures, Mayfield, and the Oxford University, iLoF is currently focusing on validating its platform technology in one of the biggest challenges of our times: Alzheimer’s, while maintaining ongoing verticals on Digestive Cancer, Stroke, and Infectious diseases.
We are a mix of scientists, entrepreneurs, and inventors based in Oxford and Porto, with a passion for healthcare!
Recognized by CB Insights as one of the most promising Digital Health companies in the world and by the Financial Times as a Transformational Business in Healthcare, iLoF has been regularly featured in leading outlets like Tech Crunch, Wired, and Sifted and listed as a rising star in AI-Driven Drug Discovery, Health Screening & Data Analytics.
What we value
- A Be Kind attitude is the main guideline within iLoF
- A hand in the hammer and another free to support your co-workers as a true team player
- An honest and egoless attitude towards discussions and critics working in good faith
- The braveness to speak your heart in any situation
- Through words or actions be always sure to make a difference at any moment!
- Be proud to drive your responsibilities to success and help others do the same, embracing ownership!
- An exciting future with a deep-tech company selected by Financial Times and CB Insights as one of the most transformative companies in the world
- A high-paced, flexible environment: adaptable working hours, strong remote work culture
- A stimulating atmosphere with room for creativity – fast-paced, fun, and energetic start-up with a friendly culture
- Weekly happy hours with amazing food and drinks
- Private healthcare insurance (for employees; contractor benefits to be agreed)
- The opportunity to work with a world-class, talented team – and potentially change healthcare as we know it for millions of patients living with complex diseases around the globe
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Engineering and Information Technology
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Engineering Lead - Optical Systems & Photonics Hardware (Healthtech, Deep tech) employer: iLoF
Contact Detail:
iLoF Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Lead - Optical Systems & Photonics Hardware (Healthtech, Deep tech)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the healthtech and deep tech space. Attend meetups, webinars, or industry events to meet potential colleagues and learn about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or any projects that highlight your expertise in optics, photonics, or AI, make sure to share them during interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your hands-on experience and passion for the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Research common interview questions for engineering leads and think about how your past experiences align with the role. Be ready to discuss how you’ve led teams and tackled challenges in fast-paced environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission at iLoF. Your application will stand out if you show that you’re excited about what we do and how you can contribute.
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Lead - Optical Systems & Photonics Hardware (Healthtech, Deep tech)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Engineering Lead role. Highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and any relevant projects in healthtech or photonics. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for personalized medicine and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention any startup experience and your approach to innovation.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight your technical expertise, especially in optics/photonics and any AI/ML exposure. We’re looking for someone who can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders, so make that clear!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at iLoF
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest advancements in optical systems and photonics. Brush up on your knowledge of AI applications in healthtech, as this role requires a solid understanding of how these technologies intersect.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in building and leading multidisciplinary teams. Think of specific examples where you’ve inspired innovation and accountability, and be ready to explain how you foster collaboration across different engineering disciplines.
✨Understand Regulatory Standards
Familiarise yourself with ISO 13485, IVDR, and UKCA regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in past projects, as this will demonstrate your ability to align engineering practices with quality standards.
✨Emphasise Your Startup Experience
Highlight any previous startup experience, especially how you’ve navigated challenges and iterations. Share stories that illustrate your resilience and data-driven decision-making, which are crucial for thriving in a fast-paced environment like this one.
