Laser Applications Team Leader

Laser Applications Team Leader/Laser Process Engineer
Location: Oxford
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

We are seeking an experienced Laser Applications Team Leader (Laser Process Engineer or Photonics Engineer) to lead our hands-on laser R&D, materials processing, and customer application development team. This role is ideal for an engineer with expertise in laser optics, laser–material interaction, and optical systems integration, who enjoys guiding a team while remaining actively involved in experimental work.

Key Responsibilities
Team Leadership & Project Management

• Lead and coordinate the laser applications team, scheduling R&D and customer development projects.
  
  
• Work with management, sales, and engineering teams to prioritise work and allocate resources.
  
  
• Track project progress, make timely interventions, and report on R&D milestones to management.
  
  Laser Process Development
  
  
• Translate customer requirements into effective laser processes (cutting, welding, drilling, marking, micromachining).
  
  
• Set up and align laser and optical systems (fiber, diode, femtosecond, or UV lasers).
  
  
• Analyse laser–material interactions to improve process quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
  
  
• Collect data, analyse results, and produce high-quality documentation and technical reports.
  
  Customer and Applications Support
  
  
• Provide technical sales support and deliver presentations or demonstrations to customers.
  
  
• Collaborate with clients to optimise process parameters for their applications.
  
  System Integration & Machine Commissioning
  
  
• Work with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to ensure machines meet process requirements.
  
  
• Support machine commissioning, testing, and customer acceptance, including occasional international travel.
  
  Skills and Qualifications
  Essential:
  
  
• Degree in Physics, Materials Science, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or related field.
  
  
• 5+ years’ experience in laser R&D, laser processing, or optical systems engineering.
  
  
• Strong knowledge of laser optics, beam delivery, and materials processing techniques.
  
  
• Proven ability to develop, optimise, and lead laser processes (cutting, welding, marking, drilling).
  
  
• Excellent team leadership, analytical, and documentation skills.
  
  
• Effective communicator and collaborative team player.
  
  Desirable:
  
  
• Master’s or PhD in a relevant technical field.
  
  
• Experience in electronics, photovoltaics, or semiconductor manufacturing.
  
  
• Knowledge of Chinese language advantageous.
  
  Why Join Us
  
  
• Lead a skilled laser applications team working on cutting-edge laser and photonics technologies.
  
  
• Combine hands-on R&D with strategic team leadership and project management.
  
  
• Collaborate globally with industry-leading engineers and customers.
  
  
• Contribute to technologies shaping the future of precision manufacturing and optical engineering.
  
  If you’re a motivated engineer ready to take on a leadership role in laser process development, apply today and help drive innovation in our laser applications team