Graduate Optical Engineer

Job Description

Leonardo in Edinburgh, Scotland is looking for a Graduate Optical Engineer to join the Advanced Targeting line of business.

As part of the 18‑month Graduate Programme you will work on mission‑critical solutions, progressing through product lifecycle stages and gaining experience that prepares you for a full Optical Engineer role.

• Manage your own development toward attaining Optical Engineer level over 18 months.
• Participate in programmes covering new product introduction, detailed product design, and novel concepts for future technology.
• Learn core concepts to increase manufacturing rate, perform root‑cause analysis, and use metrology.
• Develop or improve designs and support the transfer of optical models into detailed optical and system requirements.
• Assist optical procurement, the product team with drawings, tolerancing, and experiments to validate designs.
• Conduct technical reviews and optical tests to lower technical risks of novel EO–Systems.

• Master’s degree (Hons 2:1) or higher (EngD/PhD).
• Relevant photonics experience such as placements, internships, or research projects.
• Experience with technical writing and project planning.
• Strong analytical, modelling, and laboratory skills.
• Evidence of successful teamwork.
• Enthusiasm for photonics and a desire to develop technical capabilities.
• Proficiency with modelling tools such as Zemax Optics Studio, Matlab, LabVIEW, COMSOL (or equivalent) – desirable but not essential.

This role requires pre‑employment screening under the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). Additional National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, e.g., Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). See "security and vetting information" for details.

• Starting salary £34,000 per annum + £1,000 welcome bonus.
• £1,000 exit bonus upon successful programme completion.
• Potential Temporary Accommodation Allowance (TAA) subject to criteria.
• Generous leave plus up to 12 additional flexi‑days per year.
• Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Bonus scheme eligibility.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
• £500 annual flexible benefits credit for private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships, etc.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Permanent, Full‑time, Hybrid.