At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering operations and inspire a multidisciplinary team to innovate in healthtech.
- Company: Join iLoF, a top digital health company transforming personalized medicine.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic startup environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of revolutionising healthcare with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in engineering leadership, preferably in medical devices or life sciences.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Hello! We're looking for an awesome Engineering Lead - Optical Systems & Photonics Hardware (Healthtech, Deep tech) 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.
Technical / Professional Skills
- 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.
Cultural Skills
- 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.
Engineering Lead - Optical Systems & Photonics Hardware in London employer: iLoF
At iLoF, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our mentorship programmes and interdisciplinary teamwork, allowing you to thrive in a dynamic environment while contributing to groundbreaking advancements in personalized medicine. Join us and be part of a mission-driven team that values your expertise and empowers you to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engineering Lead - Optical Systems & Photonics Hardware in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your past projects and achievements. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, let your work speak for itself.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in working with them. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to the role. Research the company’s culture and values, so you can show how you fit right in. And remember, we love candidates who are genuinely excited about our mission!
We think you need these skills to ace Engineering Lead - Optical Systems & Photonics Hardware in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about revolutionising personalised medicine and how your background aligns with our mission.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in optical systems, photonics, or medical devices. We love seeing how your skills can directly contribute to our goals, so don’t hold back!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Engineering Lead role. Share specific examples of your leadership experience and how you've driven innovation in past projects.
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 this exciting opportunity to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at iLoF
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technical aspects of optical systems and photonics hardware. Brush up on your knowledge of ISO standards and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the company's goals in personalised medicine.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in building and leading multidisciplinary teams. Think about times when you’ve inspired innovation or navigated challenges, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with scientists and healthcare partners, be prepared to discuss your collaborative experiences. Highlight how you’ve successfully bridged gaps between technical and non-technical stakeholders in past projects.
✨Demonstrate a Builder’s Mindset
The company values a builder’s mindset, so come equipped with examples of how you’ve taken ownership and shown urgency in your previous roles. Share instances where you’ve learned from setbacks and how that has shaped your approach to problem-solving.
