{"id":3011576,"url":"https://alion.io/job/archangel-lightworks-optical-systems-engineer","title":"Optical Systems Engineer","company":{"id":695770,"name":"Archangel Lightworks","domain":"archangel.works","url":"https://alion.io/company/archangel-2","size_band":"51-200","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Breezy","truth_index":null},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Oxford, United Kingdom"],"countries":["GB"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":49000,"max_usd":96000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":105},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"CCSDS","optional":true},{"name":"SpaceWire","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-21T13:38:36Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-21","last_verified_at":"2026-10-22T21:40:38Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":1,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":1},"description":"About Archangel Lightworks\nArchangel Lightworks is a laser communications company building wireless technology. Founded in 2017, we believe that laser communications to and from satellites is a key component of next-generation infrastructure. Our core product, the TERRA-M, is a deployable optical ground station with proven capability for space - ground data transfer.\nOur team develops and operates products that advance the security and resilience of critical national infrastructure. We value compassion, resilience, curiosity, ownership and integrity. Our start-up is a fast-paced and supportive environment, where you can contribute to novel technology with meaningful applications like reducing the Digital Divide.\nArchangel Lightworks recently closed over £10 million of investment in an oversubscribed Series A funding round. Our company is also supported by the UK Space Agency, the UK’s Department of Science and Technology (DSIT) and the UK Ministry of Defence.\n\nAbout the job\nWe’re looking for an Optical Engineer with both design and Assembly Integration and Test experience to join our engineering team and deliver transformative laser communications technology. You will be responsible for the development of our optical subsystems, from requirements definition to testing in the field. In this role, you will work closely with our Product Technical Lead and optical engineering team. \n\nYour responsibilities will include:\nDesign of laser communication terminal optical/photonic sub-systems for extreme environments\nRequirement definition and trade off analysis for complex optical/photonics systems, finding the optimal balance of performance against cost\nModelling of optical system performance, optimisation and tolerancing\nConducting practical breadboard testing to validate modelled data\nAssembling, integrating and testing subsystems\nSupporting system level testing and trials\nBeing a subject matter expert for optical and photonic systems\nManaging suppliers of optical and photonic components\nProviding technical leadership of subsystem development projects\nRequirements:\nExperience defining requirements on optical systems, modelling and performing trades studies to inform design selection\nOptical design/analysis experience using Zemax or similar software for design, optimization and tolerancing. (Sequential, non-sequential desirable)\nHands-on experience with photonic components and systems, including lasers (CW and pulsed), optical detectors/receivers, modulators, and fibre/ free-space optics, with a solid understanding of underlying physical principles and performance trade-offs\nHands-on lab experience designing and carrying out tests for relevant optical systems\nDesirable additional skills:\nExperience with electronics for optoelectronic systems, including analogue front-ends, high-speed data converters, embedded/FPGAs, and power/EMI/thermal considerations\nExperience with optical or RF communication systems, including modulation schemes, error correction, FPGA/SDR modem implementation, and relevant protocols (e.g. CCSDS, SpaceWire, Ethernet)\nExperience with high power lasers, optical amplifiers, and relevant safety requirements\nExperience with optical instrument calibration and alignment, and procedure definition\nKnowledge of adaptive optics\nKnowledge of space/satellite systems\nLocation: Our office is based in Osney Mead, Oxford. There may be opportunity to work from home as agreed with your line manager. There may be opportunity for periodic business travel.\nWhat we offer:\nOpportunity to work on advanced optical systems to support a world-changing vision\nA collaborative and transparent culture with strong links between functions\nRegular socials and weekly company lunch\nProfessional development and skills growth within a specialist engineering field\nCompetitive salary and benefits package, with equity options in a growing start-up\n25 days annual leave allowance plus bank holidays\nArchangel Lightworks is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. If you need any assistance or accommodation to complete your application or assessment, please contact us through the application form.\nWe recognise that many candidates use AI tools when applying. Please ensure your application reflects your own experience, skills, and thinking. We assess applications based on authenticity and accuracy, so anything generated with AI should be reviewed, personalised, and representative of you.","description_format":"text","description_chars":4524,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Annual leave","Equity","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United Kingdom","iso":"GB","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Satellite Communications","Optics & Photonic Components"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-21T15:31:40Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"GB","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"Licensed UK visa sponsor (Skilled Worker)","filings_12m":null,"filings_prev_12m":null,"green_card_filings_12m":null,"median_offered_wage_usd":null,"route":"Skilled Worker","cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-22T06:27:10+00:00","sources":["UK Home Office: register of licensed sponsors (workers)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":42,"reasons":["conf:2","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-10-22T06:10:10Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/archangel-lightworks-optical-systems-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/archangel-lightworks-optical-systems-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-23T01:41:26Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2843,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-24T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":695770},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=695770"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Farchangel-lightworks-optical-systems-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Farchangel-lightworks-optical-systems-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Farchangel-lightworks-optical-systems-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/archangel-lightworks-optical-systems-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Farchangel-lightworks-optical-systems-engineer"}]}