Senior Research Optical Design Engineer

About the Role: Working within a small Design Department, consisting of mechanical and optical engineers, project management and procurement. This position is based at our manufacturing base in Send, Woking and works closely with Purchasing and Machine Shop. The Senior Optical Design Engineer will be an integral part of the interdisciplinary Concepts team within the Design department. This team is responsible for generating and prototyping new concepts. The role encompasses all aspects of optical design, from creating new designs from scratch to generating toleranced optical drawings for prototype manufacturing. This role will contribute optical expertise to support the development of new systems and collaborate with the NPI team to transition successful prototypes into the NPI process. The role requires the individual to be a creative and pro-active problem solver, who takes ownership throughout and uses their own initiative to resolve design and engineering issues. The Design department currently comprises a Design Manager, Chief Engineer, four permanent Mechanical Designers, a Design Project Manager, Project Engineer, Digital Developments Manager, Optical Research Engineer, Research Design Innovator and CAD support. Resources within the department include; large laboratory area, dark room, rapid prototyping machines, in house prototype machining and shared knowledge and experience of existing design team. The position reports to the Research Design Innovator & Director Designate.

What you will be doing:

• Concept Generation: Develop new optical concepts to support the prototyping of new product ideas.
• Modelling and Tolerancing: Computer modelling of new optical concepts, including tolerancing their performance.
• Supplier Interfacing: Work with suppliers to produce optical prototypes based on your designs.
• Experimental Testing: Testing prototype optical performance in our laboratory or dark room.
• Collaboration: Provide optical knowledge and experience to assist the Concepts team in developing new ideas and support the NPI team in transitioning from concept to product.
• NPI Handover: Ensure smooth handover of optical designs between the Concepts team and the NPI team.
• Research: Stay updated on the latest optical technology and its applications to VEL products.

Observing all design office processes for data and design control (including ISO9001: 2008, ISO 2001: 2015 and ISO 13485).

What we are looking for:

• Extensive experience in the research and design of optical, optomechanical, or video-based products. Relevant experience may include industrial optical products (e.g., in-line inspection, code readers, laser systems), consumer optical products (e.g., digital cameras, opto/telecoms equipment, copiers), or laboratory optical products (e.g., microscopes, scanners).
• Proficiency in Optical Design Systems such as Zemax and/or 3D CAD systems, ideally PTC Creo.
• Familiarity with related scientific software such as Matlab and Mathcad are advantageous.
• Strong background in optical engineering with experience in Product Design, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
• A working understanding of optical manufacturing processes to support design decisions.
• A degree in physics or an optics-related subject (e.g., photography/imaging, electro-optics) is preferred. A higher degree in optical science, particularly with significant geometric and instrumental optics content, is desirable.
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in a related field is required.
• Creative and dynamic hands-on designer, able to work with minimal supervision and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High degree of self-motivation and a keen interest in optical design.
• Based in our modern Global HQ in Send, Surrey, candidates must live within a manageable daily commute.

What you will be getting: This is a part time or full time, permanent position and offers flexible working hours between 25 – 40 hours per week with flexibility on the start and finish times in line with the Company’s core working hours policy.

• Additional production bonus (variable but approx. 3% of basic salary payable monthly in arrears); linked to the value of goods invoiced from the UK factory base;
• Aviva private pension scheme, in line with Government legislation and guidelines. Currently 5% employee contribution and 3% employer contribution;
• 24 days holiday per annum (plus additional Bank Holidays);
• Benefits available on successful completion of a 6 month probationary period:
  • BUPA, private medical insurance with minimal, monthly contributions;
  • Simply Health Optimise Plus Plan, non-contributory cash back plan for claiming monies back for treatments;
  • Group Life insurance (Death in Service scheme) equivalent to 2 years’ basic salary to next of kin;
  • Sickness absence pay;
  • Cycle to Work scheme;
• Administration of government childcare vouchers;
• Multi-cultural feast day celebrations and charitable opportunities;
• Excellent staff facilities:
  • Free on-site parking, including access to EV car charging points;
  • Transport to and from the local station;
  • Free membership of an on-site gym;
  • Free weekly on site yoga sessions with a celebrated local yogini;
  • Free weekly on site boxercise sessions with an experienced martial artist & instructor.

Staff Development is key to our continued success and, as a result, we have a well-funded staff development budget, and dedicated Staff Development team. The Staff Development programme operates throughout the entire Company, and allows for professional, personal and tailored development and training to suit the individual needs and requirements of each staff member. Vision Engineering is a progressive, forward thinking company, which subscribes fully to the letter and spirit of equal opportunity.

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