Optical Designer – Imaging & Illumination Systems

About the role

We are looking for a skilled Optical Designer to develop high‑performance imaging and illumination optics for our quantum‑sensing measurement systems. You will create and optimise optics that enable high‑resolution, wide‑field imaging and reproducible measurements, working closely with engineering partners and vendors.

Key responsibilities

• Design and build illumination and imaging optics at the core of NV‑diamond sensors (excitation in, fluorescence out).
• Develop custom high‑NA, wide‑field, long‑working‑distance objectives where catalog parts do not exist.
• Own optical subsystems from concept through tolerancing, prototyping and production.
• Model and optimise imaging performance, illumination uniformity, stray‑light and artefact mitigation using ZEMAX (sequential and non‑sequential).
• Select and budget illumination sources, design beam homogenisation and shaping optics.
• Define overall optical architecture, including objectives, relays, telescopic systems, pupils, telecentricity and filter/dichroic schemes.
• Write error budgets and conduct tolerance studies to ensure manufacturability.

Required profile

• Proven experience in optical design for imaging and illumination systems.
• Strong understanding of resolution, field‑of‑view, mechanical envelope constraints.
• Ability to collaborate with cross‑functional engineering teams and external vendors.
• End‑to‑end ownership mindset, from concept to production.

Required skills

• ZEMAX (sequential and non‑sequential) modelling.
• Optical tolerance analysis and error budgeting.
• Radiometry and etendue calculations for illumination source selection.
• Beam homogenisation and shaping design.
• Design of high‑NA, wide‑field, long‑working‑distance objectives.

What we offer

• Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge quantum‑sensor technology.
• Collaborative international team of physicists, engineers and data scientists.
• Impactful role with end‑to‑end ownership from day one.