Principal Optical Engineer

Principal Optical Engineer
Based – St. Asaph
Salary - £49- £54k pa
 
Principal Accountabilities
    
Our client specialises in the design, manufacture and build of high-end optical components and optical systems, supplies optics and instrumentation to science base institutions, mostly in the UK and Europe, and to the major aerospace companies within Europe.
 
This vacancy is for an individual from a post graduate physical sciences background, with previous industrial or academic experience in optical and instrument design to join the company. The successful candidate will be a key member of a small, highly skilled team of experienced engineers working on the design and manufacture of high specification optics and optical systems. These optics and optical systems will be deployed in astronomical and physical science institutions, and airborne or spaceborne applications. Because of its work, the team often pushes the limits of its use of materials to achieve its design and manufacturing goals. It is one of the leading manufacturers of bespoke, complex shaped large optics in the world with a blue-chip client base.
 
The Principal Optical Engineer will be responsible for leading work at all levels within the Optical Design department, including the negotiation of design input with customers and responsibility for final contractual sign-off on major commercial optical projects. The post holder will be accountable for preparing reports for the Board, overseeing risk analysis and management, and providing technical leadership.
 
The successful candidate will work across engineering disciplines to deliver tested precision optics and instrumentation for these blue-chip organisations. They will need to integrate and work well within the engineering and production team, be motivated and have a detailed understanding of optical systems. The duties of the successful candidate will include the design and integration of high-performance optical systems, including those used for measurement, the performance evaluation of optical components, the measurement of optical and precision surfaces and optical instrumentation and the accurate assessment of measurement data. They will lead the Optical Design Team when deputising for the Professor of Optics, ensuring all optical design input, performance sign-off, and final delivery meet contractual requirements. The effective reporting of design and measurement results to both peers and commercial customers is a key part of this role.
 
The successful candidate will be expected to take part in technical sales activities where appropriate, including the costing and planning of projects. They will maintain high-level communication with commercial and internal customers, ensuring design integrity aligns with customer contract specifications. They will also provide strategic advice and direction to the research, technical and commercial teams.

Key Tasks
    
 Commercial
·       Lead the assessment of technical requirements for optical components and systems.
·       Lead customer-facing meetings in respect of the definition and analysis of technical requirements.
·       Lead the assessment of manufacturability of optical component prescriptions/drawings.
·       Lead the costing and planning of the manufacture of optics.
Design
·       Lead or be part of a team to develop the optical design of instrumentation and optical test systems as required.
·       Where required, lead the design for manufacture of optical components, including the definition of optical prescription.
·       Where required, lead the analysis of required tolerances, both optical and mechanical and the assessment of operating environmental factors on optical performance.
·       Where required, lead the verification of conformance to technical requirements.
Integration and Test
·       The definition of conformance testing for optics and optical systems.
·       Lead the definition and documentation of integration of instrumentation, including fixturing and verification.
·       Where required, lead the laboratory integration and characterization of optical test systems.
·       Where required, lead the laboratory integration and characterization of optical instrumentation.
·       Be responsible for the laboratory verification of conformance as appropriate.
Metrology
·       Be responsible for devising and using of optical interference techniques to measure irregularity and surface form of complex optical surfaces.
·       Be able to select commercial-off-the-shelf components to build contact and optical test setups.
·       Lead the design and development of specific optical test processes and procedures.
·       Apply an understanding of measurement uncertainties and statistical analysis methods, including the fitting of data using least squares methods and the use of statistical inference.

Be profficient with general scientific software (e.g. MS Excel statistics functionality, Matlab, Python). Research and Development:
·       Support commercial R&D efforts by delivering cutting-edge optical design expertise.
·       Where required, lead collaborative research programs to enhance the centre’s technical capabilities and deliver technologies for future products.
Team Management:
·       Supervise contract employees and manage their work plans, targets, and deliverables. Provide training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for staff and students.
Capacity Management:
·       Manage capacity planning, ensuring the optical design team's capabilities align with project demands.
·       Collaborate with the program manager on resource allocation and workload distribution.
Documentation and Communication

Be responsible for accurately recording the design of instrumentation and test systems, including requirements analyses and design conformance evaluation.
Report writing and formal presentation of work must be of a standard suitable for issue to customers in blue-chip organizations.
Write work instructions for peers, where applicable. Health and Safety

The successful applicant is expected to work in a laboratory environment with delicate and high-value equipment and manufactured artefacts. They will be expected to act in a professional and safe manner at all times.
Act in support of the University’s Health, Safety and Environment Policy.
Understand and write Risk Assessments in line with processes developed. Personal Attributes

Be able to lead or work effectively within a team to deliver quantitative results in a timely and effective manner.
Be able to problem-solve effectively within a team structure.
To be able to clearly communicate technical ideas and concepts to colleagues and the customer. External Relations:
·       Foster and maintain relationships with key industry stakeholders, enhancing the centre’s visibility and reputation in the optical engineering field.

Special Features
    
The post holder may be required to travel occasionally, both nationally and internationally for business needs. This will include visits to customer facilities for technical support and relationship management, supplier visits, major sales and marketing events, and conferences.

General Duties
    
You will ensure that appropriate management systems and procedures are in place to meet your health and safety duties and responsibilities contained within the company health and safety policy. In particular you will ensure that appropriate risk assessments are carried out in respect of significant hazards and that safety inspections are undertaken on at least an annual cycle in each workplace under your control.
 
It is the responsibility of employees to apply the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy in their own area of responsibility and in their general conduct.
 
All staff have a responsibility for promoting high levels of customer care within their own areas of responsibility.
 
Staff must be aware of the University’s commitment to Sustainability.
 
All staff must promote healthy behaviour and positive mental health and wellbeing.
 
Post holders are expected to co-operate with the Professional Development Review (PDR) process, engaging in the setting of objectives in order to assist in the monitoring of performance and the development of the individual.
 
You will assess the training and development needs of each member of staff under your control to ensure they are adequately supported in relation to their work responsibilities.
 
Such other relevant duties commensurate with the grade of the post as may be assigned by the Manager in agreement with the post holder. Such agreement should not be unreasonably withheld.
 
The key responsibilities contained in this job description are indicative not exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities may be altered in discussion with the post holder.
 
All post-holders within the Directorate are expected to be able to provide support across all areas, beyond their immediate team, as requested by the Director and commensurate with their skills, knowledge and experience.

Hours of work are 37 in total – Monday to Friday