Laser Directed Energy Weapon Engineer

Sector: Defence, Security & CNI, Power & Energy

Reference: BH-20995

Laser Directed Energy Weapon Engineer

Are you a laser or optics engineer looking for the opportunity to work on genuinely cutting-edge defence technology?
We are supporting an organisation at the forefront of advanced weapon system development as it expands its specialist engineering team working on Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) technology .
This is an opportunity to work on a highly innovative programme where the challenge is no longer simply proving the underlying science. The focus is on taking advanced laser technology and developing it into a rugged, reliable and deployable weapon system .
If you want to apply your expertise to technology that is moving rapidly from development and demonstration towards operational capability, this could be an exciting next step.
Key details

• Salary: Circa 53,000 depending on experience
• Location: Bristol
• Working pattern: Hybrid, typically 3 days per week onsite
• Security: British Citizen or Dual UK national with British citizenship required
• Clearance: Successful candidates will be required to undergo BPSS checks

The opportunity
You will work at the intersection of laser physics, optics and systems engineering , helping to translate advanced scientific capability into a fully engineered and certifiable weapon system.
The role will provide exposure across the wider engineering lifecycle, including:

• Developing and refining technical requirements
• Analysing system and subsystem performance
• Conducting capability trades to optimise system performance
• Supporting design development and certification
• Working across laser and optical technologies
• Supporting system integration and verification
• Assessing technical risks and developing engineering solutions
• Working closely with specialist scientists and engineers
• Communicating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

This is a role where your technical knowledge can have a direct influence on how an emerging technology evolves into a real-world capability.
What we are looking for
We are interested in engineers who can combine strong technical knowledge with the ability to think at system level .
You are likely to have:

• A PhD or significant industry experience in laser technology, ideally involving high-power laser systems
• Strong knowledge of laser physics and optics
• Experience working with complex technical systems
• The ability to analyse system performance and make informed engineering trade-offs
• Strong problem-solving skills and a persistent approach to technical challenges
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts clearly at different levels
• An interest in applying advanced technology to real-world engineering challenges

Experience within defence or other complex, safety-critical or mission-critical systems would be advantageous but is not essential.
Why consider this opportunity?
This is an opportunity to work on technology that sits firmly at the leading edge of modern defence engineering.
Rather than being purely research focused, the role offers the chance to help take advanced laser technology through the engineering challenges required to make it reliable, integrated, certified and deployable .
For an engineer with a strong background in laser physics or optics who wants to broaden their influence into systems engineering and see their work translated into a real operational capability, this could be a particularly interesting opportunity.
Package
The wider benefits package includes:

• Company performance-related bonus
• Employer and employee pension contributions of up to 14% combined
• Paid overtime opportunities
• Up to 15 additional days of flexi leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Enhanced parental leave
• Subsidised onsite facilities
• Free car parking
• Healthcare cash plan

Electus Recruitment Solutions provides specialist engineering and technical recruitment solutions to high-technology industries. We thank you for your interest in this vacancy. If you don’t hear from us within 7 working days, please presume your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. You are of course free to resubmit your CV/details in the future, and we shall assess your suitability at that time.