Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics | He

iLoF
City of London
2 days ago
Create job alert

Company Description

Hello! We're looking for an awesome Optical Instrumentation Engineer to join our team on our journey to revolutionize personalized medicine.

Job Description

  • System design & assembly: Personally design, build, align, and calibrate novel optical analytical instruments (e.g., Raman, FTIR, fluorescence, scattering) from concept and component selection through to bench assembly and validation.
  • Hands-on prototyping: Solve optical/mechanical design challenges, design custom components/fixtures, and iterate rapidly to hit performance targets.
  • Systems integration: Integrate optics with detectors/light sources, motion/actuation, electronics, fluidics, and software control to deliver fully functional prototypes.
  • Testing & validation: Plan and execute experiments; analyze data to troubleshoot and optimize SNR, resolution, stability, dynamic range; own verification against specifications.
  • Technical guidance: Serve as in-house subject-matter expert for spectroscopy-advise on component selection (gratings, filters, objectives, fibers, detectors), system architecture, and experimental methodology.
  • Documentation & knowledge transfer: Maintain design files, BOMs, alignment procedures, and test reports; ensure reproducibility; support IP filings and hand-off to manufacturing.
  • Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with scientists, assay developers, data scientists, and QA/RA to ensure instruments meet biological, analytical, and regulatory needs.
  • Safety & compliance: Uphold lab/laser safety; support design controls and documentation aligned with ISO 13485 (and related standards when in scope).
  • Innovation: Track advances in spectroscopy/optics; prototype and evaluate new architectures to push platform capability.

This role is based in London and collaborates with teams in the UK and abroad.

Qualifications

  • An advanced degree (PhD or exceptional MSc) in Physics, Optics/Photonics, Nanoscience, or related engineering field.
  • 3+ years industry experience designing, building, and operating complex optical systems from scratch in a lab environment.
  • Deep, practical knowledge of Raman/FTIR/fluorescence/scattering instrumentation and how to build/align such systems.
  • Strong hands-on skills in opto-mechanics, precision alignment, stray-light control, and thermal/vibration management.
  • Experience with data acquisition & control (e.g., Python/Matlab/C++/LabVIEW, pyVISA; motion stages/controllers).
  • Plus: Familiarity with optical & mechanical CAD (e.g., Zemax/OpticStudio, SolidWorks/Onshape) and tolerance analysis.
  • Plus: experience maturing prototypes toward production (DfX, manufacturability, reliability), and mentoring junior engineers/scientists.
  • Advantageous: fiber optics, micro-optics, microfluidics, laser safety, electronics, and signal processing/statistics.

Cultural Skills

  • Builder's mindset: hands-on, resourceful, and relentless about quality.
  • Low-ego collaborator who elevates a multidisciplinary team.
  • Mission-driven and patient-centered, comfortable in a fast-paced startup.

iLoF is building an AI-powered platform capable of transforming precision medicine. Our goal is to become the platform that democratizes access to personalized medicine for millions of people living with complex diseases around the globe.

We offer a high-paced, flexible environment, a stimulating atmosphere with room for creativity, and the opportunity to work with a world-class, talented team.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.


#J-18808-Ljbffr

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup

Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup

Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | | AI | Photonics[...]

Junior NPI Engineer

System Optimisation Engineer

Data Scientist

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Quantum Computing Recruitment Trends 2025 (UK): What Job Seekers Need To Know About Today’s Hiring Process

Summary: UK quantum computing hiring has shifted from credential‑first screening to capability‑driven evaluation. Employers now value provable contributions across the stack—algorithms & applications, compilation & optimisation, circuit synthesis, control & calibration, hardware characterisation, error mitigation/correction (QEM/QEC), verification/benchmarking, and hybrid HPC/quantum workflows—plus the ability to communicate trade‑offs, costs and feasibility to non‑quantum teams. This guide explains what’s changed, what to expect in interviews and how to prepare—especially for quantum algorithm engineers, quantum software/compilers, experimentalists, quantum control & firmware, cryo/readout engineers, quantum error correction researchers, verification/benchmarking specialists, and quantum‑adjacent product managers. Who this is for: Quantum algorithm/applications engineers, compiler/optimisation engineers, control/firmware engineers, experimental physicists & hardware engineers (superconducting, trapped ion, photonic, spin/neutral atom), cryogenics & RF/microwave, QEC researchers, verification/benchmarking specialists, quantum‑HPC orchestration engineers, and product/BD roles in the UK quantum ecosystem.

Why Quantum Computing Careers in the UK Are Becoming More Multidisciplinary

Quantum computing has long been considered an elite subfield of physics and computer science. But as quantum technologies advance—from fault-tolerant hardware to quantum algorithms and quantum cryptography—they’re moving closer to real applications in finance, materials simulation, optimisation, cryptography and more. As this transition happens, UK quantum computing careers are becoming increasingly multidisciplinary. Quantum systems are no longer just the domain of physicists and quantum software engineers. If quantum technologies are to be trusted, adopted and regulated, professionals must also incorporate expertise in law, ethics, psychology, linguistics & design. In practice, quantum computing projects now intersect with data governance, risk, human interaction, explainability and communication. In this article, we’ll explore why quantum computing careers in the UK are shifting to multidisciplinary roles, how these five supporting fields intersect with quantum work, and what job-seekers & employers should do to keep up in this evolving frontier.

Quantum Computing Team Structures Explained: Who Does What in a Modern Quantum Department

Quantum computing has shifted from lab curiosity to the next frontier of high-impact computing. Across the UK, universities, national labs, start-ups, and established tech and finance firms are building quantum teams to explore algorithms, design hardware, and deliver quantum-ready software. As momentum grows, so does the need for clear, robust team structures. Because quantum R&D spans physics, engineering, computer science, and product, ambiguity about who does what can slow progress, increase risk, and inflate costs. This guide maps the typical roles in a modern quantum computing department, how they collaborate across the research-to-product lifecycle, skills and backgrounds UK employers expect, indicative salary ranges, common pitfalls, and practical ways to structure teams that move fast without breaking science.