Chief Engineer

My client is searching for a Chief Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical and technical development of their advanced laser technology and R&D programme. This is a highly technical leadership position with significant ownership of the mechanical architecture, system integration and engineering development direction of a complex, high-power laser system. As Chief Engineer, you will lead a multidisciplinary team of Engineers and Scientists, taking technology from early-stage R&D through to robust, reliable deployment in real-world environments.

Responsibilities: Lead the mechanical and technical development of a high average power laser system, from R&D through to field deployment Own the mechanical architecture and system-level engineering approach, making key decisions around structures, mechanisms, thermal management, packaging, materials and integration Lead the design and development of complex mechanical and optomechanical systems, ensuring performance, reliability and manufacturability Oversee the mechanical integration of optics, lasers, electronics, sensors, thermal systems and supporting infrastructure Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure the mechanical design enables overall system performance Remain hands-on with mechanical design, prototyping, testing, troubleshooting and technical problem solving Identify and resolve complex engineering challenges relating to structural integrity, thermal performance, vibration, alignment, tolerances and system integration Drive mechanical design reviews, technical decision-making and engineering development activities Support and mentor junior engineers, providing technical leadership and helping to develop the mechanical engineering capability within the team Requirements: Strong professional background in Mechanical Engineering, with significant experience designing and developing complex hardware Experience working with optics, photonics, lasers or other precision electro-mechanical systems Extensive experience developing and integrating high average power systems or other demanding thermal/mechanical systems Strong understanding of mechanical structures, mechanisms, materials, thermal management, vibration and precision engineering Demonstrable experience designing the mechanical infrastructure and supporting systems surrounding complex laser or optical systems Broad systems engineering understanding, with the ability to work effectively across optics, electronics, sensors, thermal engineering and controls Experience designing hardware for harsh or demanding operating environments Experience with Siemens NX or similar advanced mechanical CAD platforms Experience with Zemax or other optical design software would be useful Apply now or contact Gemma for more information.