Overview

Optical Instrumentation Engineer | Spectroscopy | Analytical Instrumentation | AI | Photonics | HealthTech | Deep Tech Startup

This role is based in London and collaborates with teams in the UK and abroad.

Responsibilities

• System design & assembly: Personally design, build, align, and calibrate novel optical analytical instruments (e.g., Raman, FTIR, fluorescence, scattering) from concept and component selection through to bench assembly and validation.
• Hands-on prototyping: Solve optical/mechanical design challenges, design custom components/fixtures, and iterate rapidly to hit performance targets.
• Systems integration: Integrate optics with detectors/light sources, motion/actuation, electronics, fluidics, and software control to deliver fully functional prototypes.
• Testing & validation: Plan and execute experiments; analyze data to troubleshoot and optimize SNR, resolution, stability, dynamic range; own verification against specifications.
• Technical guidance: Serve as in‑house subject‑matter expert for spectroscopy—advise on component selection (gratings, filters, objectives, fibers, detectors), system architecture, and experimental methodology.
• Documentation & knowledge transfer: Maintain design files, BOMs, alignment procedures, and test reports; ensure reproducibility; support IP filings and hand‑off to manufacturing.
• Cross‑functional collaboration: Work closely with scientists, assay developers, data scientists, and QA/RA to ensure instruments meet biological, analytical, and regulatory needs.
• Safety & compliance: Uphold lab/laser safety; support design controls and documentation aligned with ISO 13485 (and related standards when in scope).
• Innovation: Track advances in spectroscopy/optics; prototype and evaluate new architectures to push platform capability.

Qualifications

• An advanced degree (PhD or exceptional MSc) in Physics, Optics/Photonics, Nanoscience, or related engineering field.
• 3+ years industry experience designing, building, and operating complex optical systems from scratch in a lab environment.
• Deep, practical knowledge of Raman/FTIR/fluorescence/scattering instrumentation and how to build/align such systems.
• Strong hands‑on skills in opto‑mechanics, precision alignment, stray‑light control, and thermal/vibration management.
• Experience with data acquisition & control (e.g., Python/Matlab/C++/LabVIEW, pyVISA; motion stages/controllers).
• Plus: Familiarity with optical & mechanical CAD (e.g., Zemax/OpticStudio, SolidWorks/Onshape) and tolerance analysis.
• Plus: experience maturing prototypes toward production (DfX, manufacturability, reliability), and mentoring junior engineers/scientists. Advantageous: fiber optics, micro‑optics, microfluidics, laser safety, electronics, and signal processing/statistics.

Culture & Values

• Builder’s mindset: hands‑on, resourceful, and relentless about quality.
• Low‑ego collaborator who elevates a multidisciplinary team.
• Mission‑driven and patient‑centered, comfortable in a fast‑paced startup.
• Be kind, collaborative, and ownership‑driven in a fast‑moving environment.

About iLoF

As personalized medicine becomes the norm, scientists, patients, and healthcare systems worldwide face barriers in providing the right treatment to the right patient. iLoF is building an AI-powered platform capable of transforming precision medicine. Our goal is to democratize access to personalized medicine for millions of people living with complex diseases. Our proprietary optical fingerprint library of disease biomarkers enables faster and more affordable patient screening and stratification, with aims to save time and cost while delivering a humane patient experience.

Supported by leading institutions like Microsoft Ventures, Mayfield, and the Oxford University, iLoF is focusing on validating its platform technology in addressing major health challenges, including Alzheimer’s, Digestive Cancer, Stroke, and Infectious diseases. Our team is based in Oxford and Porto, and we are a mix of scientists, entrepreneurs, and inventors with a passion for healthcare.

What We Value

• A Be Kind attitude is the main guideline within iLoF
• A hands‑on approach with a collaborative mindset
• Honest, egoless discussions and constructive critique
• Bravery to speak up and own outcomes
• Drive responsibility and help others succeed

Perks

• Exciting future with a deep‑tech company recognized for transformation in healthcare
• High‑paced, flexible environment with strong remote work culture
• Creative, fast‑paced startup atmosphere with a friendly culture
• Weekly happy hours with food and drinks
• Free coffee and snacks
• Private healthcare insurance (employee; contractors’ benefits to be agreed)
• Opportunity to work with a world‑class team and potentially change healthcare

If that sounds like a fit, apply to join us. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t tick every box, as we’re committed to upskilling teammates as needed.