Stealth Startup - Deep Tech
Senior / Principal Photonics Engineer - Optical Systems & Sensor Development
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We are seeking a Senior or Principal Photonics Engineer to play a foundational role in developing the optical systems at the heart of a next-generation continuous sensing platform.
This is a highly hands-on role spanning optical design, experimental photonics, sensor characterisation, quantitative data analysis and system miniaturisation. You will help translate advanced photonic sensing concepts from laboratory setups into compact, stable and scalable optical systems.
The central challenge is converting photonic-device performance into repeatable system-level performance while balancing optical quality, calibration, mechanical constraints, reliability and future manufacturability. You will have significant ownership of the optical architecture, experimental programme, characterisation methods and technical decisions shaping the platform.
About Us
We are a stealth, venture-backed and grant-funded deep-tech company developing a proprietary photonic platform for continuous, multi-marker molecular sensing. We are backed by a leading European venture fund, experienced health-tech investors and strategic operators, alongside significant grant funding from the EU.
Todayโs biochemical measurements provide isolated snapshots of dynamic biological processes. Our mission is to make these changes continuously measurable, transforming molecular data into timely, actionable insight.
Our platform brings the stability and multiplexing capabilities of advanced laboratory photonics into compact, scalable devices using miniaturised, low-cost and low-power electronics. We are initially applying the technology to health-focused applications, with the potential to reveal new insights into physiology, disease progression and treatment response.
As we move from core technology validation towards integrated product development, we are expanding a multidisciplinary team spanning molecular recognition, surface chemistry, biosensing, photonics, microfluidics and engineering.
Responsibilities
- Optical system development: Design and develop optical sensing systems spanning laboratory experiments and compact integrated devices.
- Optical modelling and sensor design: Use simulation and analytical methods to evaluate sensor behaviour, imaging performance, tolerances and system-level design trade-offs. Design and simulation for next generation of ultra sensitive optical/photonic sensor.
- Experimental photonics and imaging: Build, align, calibrate, test and troubleshoot optical setups, imaging systems and precision measurement workflows, including alignment errors and optical aberrations.
- Sensor characterisation and data analysis: Analyse experimental and time-series sensor data to assess sensitivity, stability, repeatability, signal quality and system robustness.
- Calibration and automation: Develop practical calibration, alignment and characterisation procedures, including software tools that improve repeatability and production consistency.
- Optical signal-chain optimisation: Evaluate illumination, optical coupling, filtering, imaging and detector performance across the complete optical subsystem.
- Miniaturisation and prototyping: Translate laboratory optical architectures into compact, low-power and mechanically robust assemblies using rapid prototyping where useful.
- System integration: Work with biosensing, electronics, mechanical and microfluidics teams to integrate the optical subsystem into the wider platform.
- Manufacturing readiness: Develop repeatable assembly, tolerance and characterisation approaches suitable for future scale-up and supplier transfer.
- Next-generation concepts: Investigate new photonic sensing approaches using simulation, experimental analysis and data-driven modelling, while contributing to external partnerships and intellectual-property development.
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At Principal Engineer level, you may also help set the optical systems roadmap, mentor colleagues, guide external design and fabrication partners and contribute to intellectual-property strategy.
Experience and Profile
Essential experience
- PhD or equivalent industry experience in photonics, optical engineering, applied physics or a related field.
- Strong grounding in photonics, optical principles, interference optics and waveguide or imaging optics.
- Hands-on experience designing, building, aligning, calibrating and characterising optical systems.
- Experience with optical modelling or simulation and using results to guide experiments and design decisions.
- Ability to analyse experimental sensor data quantitatively, with proficiency in Python, MATLAB or an equivalent scientific-computing environment.
- Strong experimental troubleshooting skills and the ability to independently plan and execute complex technical programmes.
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Particularly valuable experience
- Photonic or optical biosensors.
- Integrated photonics, nanophotonics or resonant optical devices.
- Miniaturised imaging or sensing systems, including practical diagnosis of aberrations and alignment errors.
- Experiment automation, calibration tooling or automated optical characterisation.
- DSP, time-series analysis, statistical modelling or machine learning applied to noisy sensor data.
- C/C++ or embedded implementation for instrumentation or low-power devices.
- Rapid optomechanical prototyping, 3D printing, optical packaging or collaboration with fabrication partners.
- Wearable or medical-device development, design for manufacture or repeatable production testing.
Why Work for Us?
- Hands-on ownership: Your work will directly shape how advanced photonic sensing concepts become compact, calibrated and repeatable optical systems.
- Deep-tech, real-world impact: Work on novel continuous biosensing technology with the potential to change how health is monitored.
- Exceptional people: Collaborate with top-tier talent from Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College, alongside leaders across sensing, chemistry and product.
- High-pace, high-support culture: An open structure, fast iteration and genuine room to experiment, supported by regular feedback and collaboration.
- Competitive compensation and meaningful equity: Receive a competitive salary and early-stage share options, giving you a real stake in what you are building.
Location
London, UK
This is a laboratory-based photonics position and will be primarily in person. Relocation support and UK visa sponsorship are available for exceptional candidates.
Apply
If youโre excited by wearable molecular monitoring and want to build something genuinely new, please apply through the listing or email privately: careers@chunehealth.com
All applications and discussions will be handled confidentially. Help translate advanced photonic sensing into compact, calibrated and scalable systems for a new generation of continuous sensing.
โIt took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what Iโve been looking for.โ
Jessica, London
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