Manufacturing Engineer (Optics)

Optics Manufacturing Engineer

Abingdon, Oxfordshire | £45,000 to £58,000 + Equity + Private Healthcare + Pension + Share Options

Shape the Manufacturing Future of Semiconductor Metrology

Are you an Optics Manufacturing Engineer , Optomechanical Manufacturing Engineer , Photonics Manufacturing Engineer or Precision Manufacturing Engineer looking to build technology that enables the world's most advanced semiconductor devices?

This is an opportunity to join one of the UK's most exciting deep-tech scale-ups, developing cutting-edge Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) systems used by leading semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. Backed by major industry investors, including Applied Ventures, we're scaling rapidly and investing heavily in our manufacturing capability.

You'll play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between advanced engineering design and scalable production, ensuring that highly complex optical and optomechanical systems can be built with exceptional precision, repeatability and reliability.

If you thrive in environments where optics, lasers, photonics, precision mechanics, automation and manufacturing excellence intersect, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Role

As an Optics Manufacturing Engineer , you'll own the development and optimisation of manufacturing processes for highly complex optical, laser and precision mechatronic assemblies.

Working closely with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Production teams, you'll help transform prototype designs into robust manufacturing processes that can scale without compromising performance.

This is a rare opportunity to influence both product design and manufacturing strategy while working on some of the most advanced metrology equipment in the semiconductor industry.

What You'll Be Doing

Manufacturing Process Development

Develop and implement manufacturing processes for high-precision optical and optomechanical assemblies

Convert R&D and prototype builds into repeatable, scalable production workflows

Design assembly methods, production tooling, fixtures and work instructions

Drive manufacturing readiness and process capability for new product introductions

Improve yield, repeatability and build efficiency across production operations

Optical Assembly & Alignment

Develop precision alignment processes for lasers, optics, fibre-optic systems and optomechanical subassemblies

Establish best practices for handling sensitive optical components

Create alignment, calibration and verification procedures suitable for production environments

Ensure manufacturing processes maintain critical system performance specifications

New Product Introduction (NPI)

Partner with development engineers to transition new products into manufacture

Provide Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) guidance

Support pilot builds, design verification and early production ramp-up activities

Identify manufacturing risks early and implement practical solutions

Production Scale-Up & Continuous Improvement

Improve manufacturing throughput, quality and productivity

Drive process optimisation initiatives and operational excellence activities

Identify automation opportunities and assembly flow improvements

Support capacity planning as manufacturing operations expand

Tooling, Fixtures & Test Development

Design and implement precision tooling and assembly fixtures

Develop production test systems and calibration equipment

Ensure measurement systems provide reliable validation of product performance

Cross-Functional Engineering Leadership

Work across Engineering, Production, Quality, Supplier Management and Customer Support teams

Support supplier qualification and development activities

Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions

Provide technical mentorship and manufacturing expertise to production teams

What We're Looking For

We're interested in speaking with engineers who bring a combination of optics expertise, manufacturing know-how and hands-on problem-solving ability .

Essential Experience

Experience manufacturing complex optical, photonics or optomechanical systems

Expertise in optical systems, lasers, fibre optics and precision alignment techniques

Experience scaling low-volume, high-complexity products into manufacture

Strong understanding of NPI, DFM, DFA and manufacturing process development

Experience with precision assembly and tight-tolerance manufacturing environments

Knowledge of vibration isolation systems and precision motion control technologies

Track record improving process capability, quality and manufacturing performance

Comfortable operating in fast-paced engineering and scale-up environments

Hands-on approach with excellent fault-finding and problem-solving skills

Desirable Experience

Semiconductor equipment manufacturing

Semiconductor metrology systems

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Laser manufacturing or photonics production

Precision instrumentation

CAD and engineering documentation tools

Automation and advanced manufacturing techniques

A bit about us:

Infinitesima is a privately owned company founded in 2001, as a spin-out of the University of Bristol, by CTO Professor Andrew Humphris. Our dynamic team of scientists and engineers is focussed on enabling the next generation of semiconductor devices through delivery of innovative products to customers around the world.

Our strength lies in the varied perspectives that come from different cultures, experiences, and identities. We believe that true innovation is fuelled by collaboration, locally and globally. We strive to foster an environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully and thrive. If you require adjustments to take part in the recruitment process, please let us know, we’ll do our best to support you.

Your recruitment journey:

We will interview you: Monday to Friday UK Time 9am to 4.30pm and we'll be as flexible as we can with Global Scheduling

1st stage: (45 minute) Remote meeting to evaluate your experience and technical ability

2nd stage: (2.5 hours) Face to face onsite evaluating technical, presentation and communication skills along with your ways of working and your opportunity to to know more about us

If you're not comfortable with eye contact, let us know at the start of your interview and if REMOTE, once we've said hello, feel free to turn your camera off until the end.

Informal is absolutely fine for onsite interviews, we want you to feel comfortable when you meet us and if there's anything else we can do to support your journey, just let us know.

A note on how we use AI:

We use AI only to transcribe our interviews so we can focus fully on you instead of scribbling notes. The AI does not take part in any decision making at any stage. All hiring decisions are made by real humans based on the conversation we have with you.

Location and working pattern:

We recognise the value of flexibility and offer a hybrid working model wherever possible. Most employees work onsite three days per week, although some positions require a greater onsite presence due to the nature of the work and business need

Recruitment agencies: Infinitesima Ltd only works with approved agencies and does not accept unsolicited agency CVs. Please do not submit candidate details in response to this advert or solicit any Infinitesima Ltd employees. Infinitesima Ltd is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CVs.