Optical Systems Engineer

We are looking for an Optical Engineer with experience in both optical design and assembly, integration, and test. We require experience defining requirements for optical systems and performing modelling and trade studies to inform design selection.

We require optical design and analysis experience using Zemax or similar software for design, optimisation, and tolerancing, with sequential and non‑sequential experience desirable. We require hands‑on experience with photonic components and systems, including lasers, optical detectors and receivers, modulators, and fibre and free‑space optics. We require a strong understanding of the physical principles and performance trade-offs of optical and photonic systems. We require hands‑on laboratory experience designing and carrying out tests for relevant optical systems.

Desirable experience includes:

• Electronics for optoelectronic systems, such as analogue front‑ends, high‑speed data converters, embedded FPGAs, and power, EMI, and thermal considerations.
• Optical or RF communication systems, including modulation schemes, error correction, FPGA or SDR modem implementation, and relevant protocols such as CCSDS, SpaceWire, and Ethernet.
• High‑power lasers, optical amplifiers, and relevant safety requirements.
• Optical instrument calibration, alignment, and procedure definition.

Responsibilities include:

• Designing laser communication terminal optical and photonic subsystems for extreme environments.
• Defining requirements and performing trade‑off analysis for complex optical and photonics systems, balancing performance against cost.
• Modelling optical system performance, optimisation, and tolerancing.
• Conducting practical breadboard testing to validate modelled data.
• Assembling, integrating, and testing subsystems.
• Supporting system‑level testing and trials.
• Acting as a subject matter expert for optical and photonic systems.
• Managing suppliers of optical and photonic components.
• Providing technical leadership for subsystem development projects.
• Working closely with our Product Technical Lead and optical engineering team.

We are Archangel Lightworks, a connectivity company building wireless technology to create the space-enabled networks of the future. We are passionate about improving humanity's communications infrastructure and solving some of Earth's most critical problems, from economic inclusion to climate change. We offer a fast-paced, supportive start-up environment where you can make your mark as part of a growing team working on cutting-edge innovation.

Our office is based in Osney Mead, Oxford, with opportunities for hybrid working and arrangements agreed with your line manager. We offer 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, equity options in a growing start-up, training resources and budget to support your growth, a supportive culture with high ownership and responsibility, an annual team retreat, regular socials, weekly team lunches, and additional learning and wellbeing perks.