Senior Optical Engineer

Company:  Orion Electrotech
Location: Reading
Closing Date: 06/07/2026
Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 Per Annum
Hours: Full Time
Type: Permanent

Job Description

Senior Optical Engineer

Orion is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Optical Engineer on behalf of our client to join their dynamic engineering team. This senior-level position plays a vital role in enhancing our biometric products by leading end-to-end optical design, testing, and optimisation of imaging and illumination systems. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with cross-disciplinary teams and external suppliers to ensure our devices meet the highest standards of quality, performance, and reliability.

Responsibilities of the Senior Optical Engineer:

  • Design, develop, and test optical imaging and illumination systems for biometric identification devices.
  • Analyse tolerances and specifications for production readiness.
  • Communicate with global customers and suppliers regarding technical specifications.
  • Identify, evaluate, and test commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) optical components.
  • Provide technical expertise and support for project planning and development.
  • Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and software teams on measurement methods, sensor selection, and optical design.
  • Prototype, test, and optimise optical designs, troubleshooting performance issues in manufacturing and testing environments.

Requirements of the Senior Optical Engineer:

  • Bachelor s or master s degree in applied physics, Optical Design, or a related field (e.g., optics, mechanical engineering, precision mechanics).
  • Proven experience in optical design and testing.
  • Strong knowledge of geometrical optics, optical sensors (CMOS, CCD), and optical design software Zemax (including macro language).
  • Hands-on experience with optical breadboards, prototypes, and component testing.
  • Familiarity with semiconductor illumination sources such as LEDs and laser diodes.
  • Understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Testing (DFT).
  • Leadership skills, with the ability to guide other optical engineers and perform multidisciplinary tasks.

Benefits for the Senior Optical Engineer:

  • Competitive salary and benefits.
  • Career progression.
  • Possibility of hybrid work.
  • Company pension.

If this Senior Optical Engineer position is of interest, please click Apply or get in touch with Steven at Orion.

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Orion Electrotech
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