Optical Design Engineer

Agilent inspires and supports discoveries that advance the quality of life. We provide life science, diagnostic and applied market laboratories worldwide with instruments, services, consumables, applications and expertise. Agilent enables customers to gain the answers and insights they seek - so they can do what they do best: improve the world around us. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.   

At the Raman Spectroscopy division of Agilent, we’re developing award-winning Raman spectroscopy systems for pharmaceutical, security and detection markets using our patented spatially offset Raman technology.  

As an Optical Engineer in R&D, you will be in a hands-on, technically challenging role where you’ll design, prototype, troubleshoot and refine optical systems that make a real-world impact.  Working at the intersection of optics, data, and innovation, you will take ideas from concept to production in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment. 

You take a thoughtful approach to engineering – you’re able to think ahead on the suitability of proposed plans or components and see how they fit into a wider system. You are also comfortable working and communicating with multidisciplinary teams in different geographies.  

What You’ll Do: 

• Support our products through their entire product lifecycle—from early-stage ideation and development of new products to maintaining and improving existing systems. 

• Design and test optical systems and develop test procedures in collaboration with suppliers and production teams to ensure quality and performance. 

• Provide your expert opinion on optical systems whilst collaborating with a cross-functional team to develop world-class products. 

• Diagnose and resolve issues through hands-on testing, root cause analysis, and close collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams. 

• Develop calibration and manufacturing tests and procedures, from designing test jigs to using statistical process control methods to determine control limits. 

• Using specialist software (Zemax) to design and simulate optical systems  

We are looking for a motivated individual with the following background:   

• A degree in Optics, Engineering, Physics or related discipline with a good foundation of knowledge in optics 

• Experience working in optics labs, using optomechanics to build systems  

• Knowledge of/experience with optical system design and simulation.  

• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Python, R, or MATLAB.

• Full professional proficiency in English. 

Other Desirable skills:

• Experience with spectroscopic systems, in particular Raman spectroscopy is highly desirable. 

• Experience with optical simulation software such as Zemax or Code V

• Experience with Lasers 

• Statistics and statistical process control 

• Programmatically controlling hardware for experimental automation 

• Experience maintaining performance of optical components over the full product manufacturing lifecycle 

This position is based at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, with the flexibility to work on a hybrid model (3 days in the office, 2 days from home).    

We offer:  

• An opportunity for you to make a significant impact in a world-class company and develop your skills  

• A role among passionate colleagues, in a growth orientated and inclusive environment. You will become part of a caring and fast paced environment, built on integrity, sharing and trust  

• Career development opportunities in an international company  

• Competitive compensation and benefits package  

• Work-Life-Balance programs  

• Permanent contract in a fast-growing global company  

• Company pension scheme  

• Private health care 

"What's it like to work at Agilent in R&D? Watch the video"