At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and validate opto-mechanical systems for innovative photonic products.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking manufacturing team at the forefront of optical technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and access to cutting-edge equipment.
- Other info: Fresh graduates with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on advanced AI hardware design and development.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in SolidWorks and experience with optical design software.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 44000 £ per year.
Job Overview
We are looking for an Opto-mechanical Engineer to join our Manufacturing team and play a critical role in the design, integration, and manufacturing of opto-mechanical systems for our photonic products.
This role will sit at the intersection of mechanical design, optics, and manufacturing, helping us translate optical designs into robust, manufacturable hardware.
We will take ownership of designing and validating opto-mechanical assemblies, including mounts, and alignment structures for optical and photonic components.
You will work closely with Hardware, and manufacturing engineering teams as well as vendors from across the world to ensure designs are optically sound, mechanically robust, and ready for scalable production.
This is a highly hands-on engineering role suited to someone comfortable moving between CAD design, optical modelling, and physical prototyping and testing.
You will be expected to troubleshoot mechanical and optical integration issues, iterate on designs quickly, and help establish repeatable, production-ready opto-mechanical solutions.
Fresh graduates with strong relevant project, internship, or academic experience are welcome to apply.
- What you'll be doing
- Design opto-mechanical components and assemblies (mounts, housings, brackets, alignment stages) using Solid Works
- Model and analyse optical systems and tolerances using Zemax
- Translate optical design requirements into manufacturable mechanical designs
- Perform tolerance analysis to ensure optical alignment and performance across manufacturing variation
- Build and test prototypes to validate opto-mechanical designs against optical performance targets
- Support fibre-to-chip and free-space alignment integration for photonic assemblies
- Work closely with manufacturing team and vendors to ensure designs are suitable for production and assembly
- Investigate and resolve mechanical or thermal issues affecting optical performance (e. g. misalignment, drift, stress‑induced effects)
- Create and maintain design documentation, drawings, and version-controlled files
- Collaborate with suppliers on machining, coatings, and assembly processes
- Support root cause analysis for opto-mechanical failures identified in test or field use
What we're looking for
- Proficiency in Solid Works for mechanical design and drafting (2+ years of hands‑on experience)
- Experience with Zemax or similar optical design/simulation software (2+ years of hands‑on experience)
- Solid understanding of optics fundamentals (alignment, tolerances, beam propagation, focusing)
- Some industrial, internship, or substantial project experience in opto-mechanical, mechanical, or optical engineering
- Ability to perform tolerance stack‑up analysis for optical and mechanical systems
- Comfortable working hands‑on in laboratory and prototyping environments (hands‑on lab /manufacturing experience)
- Strong troubleshooting mindset with a practical, iterative approach to engineering
- Ability to communicate clearly with cross‑functional engineering teams
- Able to travel to vendor sites to transfer knowledge and troubleshoot problems.
- Even better if you have
- Experience with photonic or semiconductor packaging and assembly
- Familiarity with fibre alignment, free‑space optics, or laser‑based systems
- Experience with thermal or structural analysis (FEA) as it relates to optical performance
- Exposure to manufacturing or production environments
- Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, and its application to precision optical assemblies
- Familiarity with material selection for optical and thermal stability
We are open to candidates from Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related technical disciplines.
Fresh graduates with strong relevant experience through projects, internships, or research are encouraged to apply.
This is an opportunity to work on genuinely challenging problems across optics, mechanics, and manufacturing, with direct influence on how advanced AI hardware is designed and built.
You will also have access to cutting‑edge equipment, collaborative engineering teams, and the chance to help shape opto‑mechanical design capability from the ground up.
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Opto-Mechanical Engineer in Abingdon employer: Salience Labs
Salience Labs is an excellent employer for those looking to thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills while contributing to the finance operations of a fast-growing tech team. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and teamwork, making it a rewarding place to build your career in the deep tech sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Opto-Mechanical Engineer in Abingdon
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Salience Labs.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Salience Labs love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Salience Labs and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Opto-Mechanical Engineer in Abingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Salience Labs and the Opto-Mechanical Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Salience Labs
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Salience Labs.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Salience Labs.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Salience Labs, making you a more appealing candidate.
