Optical Metrology Research Engineer

An opportunity is available for an accomplished Optical Metrology Engineer to join a specialist research and development environment focused on the next generation of precision measurement and inspection technology.

This position sits at the intersection of optical science, advanced engineering, and precision manufacturing. You will explore new measurement principles, solve demanding system-level problems, and help transform early-stage research into practical instruments and prototypes.

Working with technical teams, customers, universities, research institutes, and industry partners across Europe, you will play an important role in expanding the organisation’s optical metrology capabilities.

The Role

Your work will cover the full development journey—from investigating emerging technologies and evaluating optical concepts to modelling, optimisation, integration, and experimental validation.

Key activities will include:

• Researching advanced components, architectures, and measurement principles for high-precision optical metrology and inspection.
• Developing innovative solutions for customer-led R&D programmes.
• Identifying technical limitations in existing measurement approaches and proposing practical improvements.
• Designing, modelling, simulating, and optimising optical systems.
• Analysing optical performance, aberrations, tolerances, and system-level behaviour.
• Evaluating sensing methods and optical architectures for future instruments.
• Providing technical guidance during the implementation and integration of new metrology solutions.
• Investigating technologies relevant to precision optics manufacturing, inspection, and characterisation.
• Benchmarking competing technologies and monitoring developments across the optical metrology sector.
• Turning scientific concepts into demonstrators, prototypes, and engineering solutions.
• Establishing productive collaborations with universities, research institutes, suppliers, and technology organisations throughout Europe.

About You

You will bring:

• A PhD in optical engineering, optics, photonics, experimental physics, engineering, natural sciences, or a closely related subject.
• At least three years of relevant research and development experience.
• Strong experience in optical system design, modelling, simulation, and performance analysis.
• Practical knowledge of Zemax or comparable optical design software.
• A robust theoretical foundation in geometrical, physical, and Gaussian optics.
• A strong understanding of optical aberration theory and its use in system design and measurement.
• Hands-on experience with high-sensitivity wavefront measurement or optical characterisation.
• Knowledge of Shack–Hartmann sensing, computer-generated holography, or comparable wavefront-sensing techniques.
• The ability to investigate technically complex problems independently and convert findings into workable solutions.
• Strong analytical, experimental, communication, and collaborative skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Additional Experience of Interest

• Optical metrology, semiconductor inspection, precision optics, photonics, microscopy, lithography, or another high-precision technology field.
• Development of optical inspection or metrology instruments.
• Interferometry, computational imaging, or precision optical measurement.
• Optical tolerance analysis, alignment, calibration, and system optimisation.
• Artificial intelligence, deep learning, or computational techniques applied to imaging and measurement.
• Combining physics-based optical models with machine-learning or data-driven methods.
• Precision optics manufacturing processes and their associated measurement challenges.
• Collaboration with academic institutions, research organisations, suppliers, or industrial partners.
• German or Chinese language skills.

If you are an optical R&D specialist motivated by difficult measurement challenges and the opportunity to shape future precision technologies, apply now or email [email protected]