Lead Optical Design Engineer

Company: IC Resources
Apply for the Lead Optical Design Engineer
Location: Edinburgh
Job Description:

My client is looking for a Lead Optical Design Engineer, focusing on optical system architecture and design. You will be working across working across simulation, modelling, and system validation, and lead end-to-end optical design in a complex environment.

Responsibilities

  • Lead design of transmission and projection optical systems
  • Model coherent light propagation through multi-element systems
  • Analyse and mitigate optical aberrations and performance limitations
  • Define tolerances and simulation methodologies
  • Establish testing and validation frameworks
  • Work with cross-functional teams across simulation, hardware, and systems
  • Drive technical direction of optical system design

Requirements

  • Experience as an optical designer with strong use of Zemax OpticStudio
  • Experience designing projection optics and holography-based systems
  • Ability to model light propagation through diffractive optical elements
  • Understanding of both ray tracing and electromagnetic/FDTD-based modelling approaches
  • Proven experience designing optical components across the full lifecycle
  • Experience with design for manufacture (DFM), tolerancing, and material selection
  • Ability to work independently on optical design problems

Desirable

  • Experience working with ultraviolet (UV) optical systems
  • Combined experience in holography and UV optics

This is an onsite position located in Edinburgh.

If you are interested, contact Ella Flynn @ IC Resources for more details.

Posted: March 29th, 2026