Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a dynamic team to test and validate cutting-edge optical technologies for AI applications.
- Company: Exciting start-up focused on revolutionary optical and photonic technologies.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and visa support for qualified candidates.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the future of networking technology while working with innovative minds.
- Qualifications: MSc or PhD in relevant fields and experience with high-speed optical systems.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for hands-on experimentation and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Senior Optical Validation Engineer Location: London (Hybrid) Salary: £60,000 – £80,000 + Benefits Visa & Relocation: Support available for qualified candidates This is an exciting and new opportunity to join a start-up involved with the research, development and design of optical / photonic technologies. Their technologies are designed to radically improve network speed and energy efficiency of AI / ML applications. This role involves the test, prototyping, characterization and validation of their ultra-fast optical hardware products. As a Senior Optical Engineer, you’ll take an active, hands-on role in lab-based experimentation, hardware integration, and system-level validation. Working closely with multidisciplinary design teams, you’ll bring together advanced electronics (SoC / high speed boards) and optical technologies, helping to move products from prototype to production readiness. Typical involvements – Senior Optical Engineer / Hardware Validation Engineer * Integrate and test very high-speed optical and electronic hardware systems * Assess optical transmission and network performance for short-reach AI Networked Systems * Develop and execute test plans for high-speed optical transceivers across the full product lifecycle (prototype, validation, production). * Perform electrical and optical characterisation of transceivers, specifically in burst-mode Tx/Rx testing. * Analyse test data to identify performance margins, failure modes, and opportunities for design/manufacturing improvements. * Optimise receiver performance through equalisation tuning (CTLE, DFE, FFE) and characterise link margins. * Design and execute automated test and characterisation routines for prototypes and NPI systems. * Analyse and optimise system-level performance across electrical and optical domains. Candidates should be collaborative, analytical, and hands-on approach to solving complex engineering challenges Skills / Knowledge Required: Senior Optical Engineer / Hardware Validation Engineer * MSc or PhD degree in optical communications, photonics, physics, electronics engineering or other relevant areas * Proven experience working in industry on similar high-speed electronics / optical systems (e.g. >50 Ghz : >10Gbps) * Strong background in optical / photonic or high-speed electronic system testing, validation, or integration. * Understanding of signal integrity, high-speed PCB design considerations, and packaging impacts on performance. * Experience with fibre-optic communication systems testing (OLT, ONT, PON) and integration. * Expertise in burst-mode transceiver characterisation. * Solid understanding of equalisation techniques (CTLE, FFE, DFE) for improving high-speed link performance. * Proficiency in using high-speed measurement instruments (e.g., sampling oscilloscopes, BERTs, burst-mode analysers). * Familiarity with optical components (lasers, photodiodes, burst-mode APDs/TIAs, modulators) and transceiver architectures. Others (beneficial): * Strong hands-on experience in optical / photonic communication systems development and testing, ideally at 100Gbps and above. * Experience with automated test systems and scripting (e.g., Python, Matlab, C++, C#). * A strong and demonstrable interest in sustainable technologies, AI, ML and / or HPC would be preferred. This is a great opportunity to join a highly technical team driving innovation in next-generation AI / ML networking hardware. The Senior Optical Engineer opening is based in central London (hybrid). Assistance can be granted to obtain working visas
Senior Optical engineer employer: Marcus Webb Associates Limited
Contact Detail:
Marcus Webb Associates Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Optical engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the optical engineering field on LinkedIn or at industry events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those involving high-speed optical systems. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get ready for interviews by rehearsing common technical questions related to optical communications and validation processes. We can help you with mock interviews to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our innovative team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Optical engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Optical Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in optical communications and high-speed electronics, and don’t forget to mention any hands-on projects that showcase your skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about optical technologies and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our team. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Be specific about your experience with high-speed measurement instruments and any programming languages you know. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our innovative projects.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marcus Webb Associates Limited
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of optical communications and high-speed electronics. Be ready to discuss specific technologies you've worked with, especially those related to burst-mode transceivers and high-speed PCB design. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Show Off Your Hands-On Skills
Since this role is very hands-on, prepare to talk about your lab experiences. Bring examples of past projects where you integrated and tested optical systems. If you can, share any challenges you faced and how you overcame them—this will highlight your problem-solving skills.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions that dive deep into your understanding of signal integrity and equalisation techniques. Practise explaining complex concepts in a simple way, as you might need to communicate these ideas to multidisciplinary teams. Being clear and concise will impress your interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
This company values innovation in AI and sustainable technologies, so make sure to express your enthusiasm for these areas. Share any relevant projects or research you've done, and discuss how you see the future of optical technologies evolving. Your passion can set you apart from other candidates.
