Principal Optical Scientist​/Engineer

Package:
Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role

Are you ready to be part of the future? At Qineti

Q, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations, our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal Optical Scientist/Engineer at our Malvern site, where you will have the opportunity to lead projects in optical and laser‑based technologies alongside some of the brightest minds in global defence and security.

As a Principal Optical Scientist/Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across projects developing laser‑based sensors and communications products. You will lead multi‑disciplinary teams, working closely with customers and business development colleagues to deliver high‑technology solutions and drive Qineti

Q’s optical product roadmap forward.

Day‑to‑day, you’ll be designing, developing and implementing optical systems, leading research and product development programmes, mentoring technical staff, and engaging with customers through demonstrations, proposals and presentations.

• Leading the delivery of optical product, development and research programmes
• Developing and managing technology roadmaps for key optical offerings
• Planning and coordinating programme work, including effort, materials, and dependencies
• Writing technical content for proposals, bids and white papers
• Mentoring and developing multi‑disciplinary technical teams
• Leading customer presentations and demonstrations

• Experience delivering new products or projects through the system engineering lifecycle
• Technical leadership of multi‑disciplinary teams
• Experience bidding for scientific or technical projects
• Practical knowledge of optical and laser‑based technologies
• Experience in product development and introduction
• Strong initiative and ability to work independently while leading teams

• Science or engineering degree relevant to optical technologies
• Strong understanding of optical systems and laser‑based sensing techniques
• Knowledge of physical and engineering principles as applied to optical communications

• Experience with LIDAR, telecoms fibre‑optic systems, or bulk‑optical systems
• Implementing active optical remote‑sensing modalities (e.g., range finding, 3D imaging, velocimetry, vibrometry, anemometry, DIAL, comms, retro‑comms)
• Scanning techniques for imaging applications
• Software skills for control, acquisition, processing and visualisation (Python, Matlab, LabVIEW, C, C++)
• Basic analogue and digital electronics

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education. If you can show the right level of experience and a willingness to learn, we’d be pleased to hear from you.

This role is full-time, permanent, based vel to other Qineti

Q and customer sites may occasionally be required.

At our Malvern site, exciting work takes place in electronic warfare, surveillance and complex system integration, contributing significantly to the UK’s defence capabilities. Join our talented teams of engineers and scientists to work on research and development projects that deliver real‑world impact and innovation in defence and security.

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join Qineti

Q. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a Qineti

Q employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and…