Mechanical Design Engineer

Join Light Trace and be part of a core team developing a high-impact, disruptive integrated photonic product, fundamental to next‑generation AI and Quantum hardware.

As a member of our small, highly‑skilled team, you’ll help shape a disruptive solution from concept through to prototype. You’ll collaborate with world‑class experts in integrated photonics in a fast‑paced environment driven by innovation, creativity, and teamwork.

We are seeking a hands‑on Mechanical Design Engineer to join our rapidly expanding R&D team. You will design and prototype mechanical aspects of our product, taking concepts from initial designs to working prototypes.

• Design high‑precision mechanical sub‑components using CAD tools;
• Conduct rigorous reliability and lifetime testing;
• Coordinate manufacture of prototypes/parts, either internally via 3D printing or via external parties;
• Work closely with the team to support departmental progress and ensure outputs meet required specifications;
• Consider manufacturability and volume deployment at every design phase; and
• Create and maintain detailed documentation of prototype design/performance.

• Delivering high‑quality outputs for key R&D projects on schedule;
• Researching and building technical cases for specific mechanical design decisions or approaches;
• Reporting and documenting development/testing progress and outputs; and
• Manage relationships with external suppliers and consultants.

• A track record of mechanical or optomechanical design experience, ideally with micro‑mechanics or high‑precision engineering;
• Expert CAD tool skills (Autodesk or similar);
• Hands‑on prototyping experience 3D printing parts and/or assembling prototypes;
• Experience testing components/prototypes against defined specifications;
• Ability to capture progress meticulously so that designs/processes/decisions can be understood/replicated;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to thrive in a small, agile, fast‑growing team focused on a bringing high‑impact and disruptive product to market;
• Manage time and expectations effectively across the team; and
• Take ownership of workload and raise questions at the appropriate time.

• Experience developing photonic or electronic connector products;
• Experience in engineering traditional fibre‑fibre connectivity solutions;
• Experience seeing a prototype through to production or work towards product certification;
• Experience in cryogenic mechanics; and/or
• Experience in integrated photonic packaging.

• Access to the company share options scheme;
• Employer pension contributions;
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays;
• Flexitime with core hours from 10 am - 3 pm

To apply to this role or to find out more information please send your CV and a cover letter to care

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