At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build innovative optical instruments for personalised medicine.
- Company: Join a leading digital health company transforming healthcare with AI.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, remote work, private healthcare, and weekly happy hours.
- Other info: Dynamic startup culture with opportunities for creativity and 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 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | AI | Photonics | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup
Location: London. Full-time.
Responsibilities
- Design, build, align, and calibrate novel optical analytical instruments (e.g., Raman, FTIR, fluorescence, scattering) from concept and component selection through bench assembly and validation.
- Solve optical/mechanical design challenges, design custom components/fixtures, and iterate rapidly to hit performance targets.
- Integrate optics with detectors/light sources, motion/actuation, electronics, fluidics, and software control to deliver fully functional prototypes.
- Plan and execute experiments; analyze data to troubleshoot and optimize SNR, resolution, stability, dynamic range; own verification against specifications.
- Serve as in‑house subject‑matter expert for spectroscopy—advise on component selection (gratings, filters, objectives, fibers, detectors), system architecture, and experimental methodology.
- Maintain design files, BOMs, alignment procedures, and test reports; ensure reproducibility; support IP filings and hand‑off to manufacturing.
- Work closely with scientists, assay developers, data scientists, and QA/RA to ensure instruments meet biological, analytical, and regulatory needs.
- Uphold lab/laser safety; support design controls and documentation aligned with ISO 13485 and related standards.
- Track advances in spectroscopy/optics; prototype and evaluate new architectures to push platform capability.
Qualifications
- 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).
- Familiarity with optical & mechanical CAD (e.g., Zemax/OpticStudio, SolidWorks/Onshape) and tolerance analysis.
- Experience maturing prototypes toward production (DfX, manufacturability, reliability) and mentoring junior engineers/scientists.
- Advantages: fiber optics, micro‑optics, microfluidics, laser safety, electronics, and signal processing/statistics.
- Builder’s mindset: hands‑on, resourceful, relentless about quality.
- Low‑ego collaborator who elevates a multidisciplinary team.
- Mission‑driven and patient‑centered, comfortable in a fast‑paced startup.
Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics[...] in London employer: iLoF
At iLoF, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment in London that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our team enjoys flexible working hours, a strong remote work culture, and the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in personalized medicine, all while being supported by a world-class team and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare. Join us to be part of a mission-driven company that values kindness, ownership, and continuous growth, making a real difference in healthcare for millions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics[...] in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant meetups or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to optical instrumentation and spectroscopy. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions and scenarios related to optical systems. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience and how you've tackled design challenges in the past.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our mission-driven team.
We think you need these skills to ace Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics[...] in London
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!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in designing and building optical systems. Use specific examples that demonstrate your hands-on skills and problem-solving abilities, as this is what we’re really looking for.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s necessary. Make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at iLoF
✨Know Your Instruments
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the optical analytical instruments mentioned in the job description, like Raman and FTIR. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these systems and how you've tackled design challenges in the past.
✨Showcase Your Prototyping Skills
Prepare examples of your previous prototyping work. Discuss specific projects where you designed, built, and validated optical systems. Highlight any custom components or fixtures you created and how they contributed to achieving performance targets.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires cross-functional collaboration, so be prepared to talk about your experience working with diverse teams. Share examples of how you've collaborated with scientists, data scientists, or QA/RA teams to meet project goals and ensure compliance.
✨Stay Current with Innovations
Demonstrate your passion for the field by discussing recent advances in spectroscopy and optics. Show that you're proactive about tracking new technologies and how you might apply them to enhance the company's platform capabilities.
