Job Description:

At Leonardo, we have a fantastic new opportunity for a Lead Optical Specialist to work on next generation capability. Leonardo is a global leader in defence electronics and delivers mission critical systems for situational awareness, electronic warfare and surveillance across land, sea and air.

Leonardo UK is pushing the technical boundaries associated with advanced tactical sensing, data fusion, communications, machine learning and defensive aids systems, which collectively will enable next generation assets to survive and operate in highly contested threat environments. Leonardo is developing these technologies for demonstration in synthetic environments and on trials with the goal of meeting a wider programme demand for deployment in 10 years.

This exciting role will be to support the technical maturation of Optical capabilities as mission critical enablers.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to play a fundamental role in a defence programme of critical national importance, and to shape the future of Leonardo UK.

The areas that the Lead Optical Specialist would be expected to get involved in include:

Development of Optical-Mechanical Concepts including system architecture definition, specify and develop lens designs, carry out analysis and performance simulations.
  Providing capability in modelling or designing imaging lenses and optical systems using appropriate commercial tools such as ZEMAX OpticStudio, CodeV or equivalent.
  Development of Novel Optical Materials, Coatings and Processes - the development of the underpinning technologies required for the successful operation of high sensitivity, low noise detection systems and the means to integrate these within the concept that will be required for this defence programme. You will investigate new technologies and engineering capabilities to address emerging business opportunities.
  You will have a great opportunity to liaise with the customer community and have regular interactions with the external supply chain.
  Develop work packages to scope milestones and deliveries within a project team environment and demonstrate ownership of those work packages.

Skills and Experience

Anyone applying for the role will be expected to demonstrate that they have experience in the following areas.

Lens Design and Optical Analysis using appropriate commercial tools such as Ansys OpticStudio, CodeV, Fred or equivalent Early lifecycle development of optical mechanical concepts.  Optical steering and stabilisations. Background in investigating the performance of different optical coatings. Development of a SWIR, MIR Optical Systems and multi-waveband optical systems. Surface Treatment for higher optical efficiency. Stray light control techniques. Techniques to increasing optical transmittance. Investigating the maturity and performance of unconventional optical elements. An advanced understanding in classical optics principles. Experience with technical proposal writing, project budgeting and team leadership The role requires good interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of stakeholders.
 

Security Clearance

You must be a sole UK Citizen and eligible for full security clearance. For more information and guidance please visit :

Feedback we’ve had from people who have recently joined the project.

I key highlight from my first month on this project, was hearing about how our technology would respond to real world scenarios. I remember being blown away by the importance of our technology and the enormous expectation of what it had to do. The role our technology plays CANNOT be done by the end user, the events they deal with are too complicated and are over and done within a matter of seconds. This expectation CANNOT be put onto the end user and therefore what we do is likely to be the difference between life or death. There is not many people that get to work on technology with such a profound purpose. Without a doubt, what we design will be part of Leonardo’s legacy and will be what the customer will use for decades to come.

From a systems point of view, this multi-sensor technology is a PARADIGM SHIFT from anything ever done before. We need key system skills to lead the requirements evolution and trade studies to enable us to deliver the best product.

We have a very people orientated Leadership team. Whilst embracing flexible working we are all about getting people working together and co-locating staff. We know that people are key to delivering this product however even more important is developing HIGH performing teams.

Engineering is given so must TRUST at this early stage and we have a lot of support to push the boundaries of technology. This is an EXCELLENT environment for self-development. The company is really behind developing skills so anyone joining this programme can expect challenge, opportunities and plenty of support.

I find the prospect of working with multi-national stakeholders very exciting. This is exactly the way we want to work going forward, taking the best from a lot of different parties to create an optimum product. There will be a lot of travel options and I’m always inspired by seeing different ways of working.

Life at Leonardo

With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.

Flexible Working:Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to usCompany funded flexible benefits:Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance)Holidays:25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per yearPension:Award winning pension scheme (up to 10% employer contribution)Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Reservists, Carers)Lifestyle:Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work schemeTraining:Free access to more than 4000 online courses via CourseraReferral Incentive:You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family memberBonus:Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below