Senior Electronic Hardware Engineer

At CoMind, we are developing a non-invasive neuromonitoring technology that will result in a new era of clinical brain monitoring. In joining us, you will be helping to create cutting-edge technologies that will improve how we diagnose and treat brain disorders, ultimately improving and saving the lives of patients across the world. THE ROLE: The Optical Engineering team at CoMind is responsible for the photonics systems at the heart of CoMind’s technology, designing and developing the laser interferometry platform that enables continuous, non-invasive measurement of human physiology parameters. The team spans optical system design, component selection and test, precision alignment, optical modelling, and integration with mechanical and electronic subsystems. As Staff Optics Engineer, you will be a senior individual contributor within the Optical Engineering team, taking ownership of complex optical design challenges and contributing to the development and integration of the photonic platform from concept through to validated hardware. You will have a strong background in developing and manufacturing complex photonic based products. The role reports into the Optical Engineering Manager within the Product Development team. You will work closely with component suppliers, research, product development and manufacturing teams to integrate leading edge photonic components including fiber optics lasers, PICs, custom photodetectors into the products. With a strong background in photonics based product design, you will work across optical system design, experimental characterisation, and subsystem integration and manufacturing. At CoMind, all team members work at least 4 days per week in the office, plus a flexible work-from-home day. This role can be based in either the London (Kings Cross) or Bristol office. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Own the design, modelling, and characterisation of optical subsystems including interferometry configurations, laser beam delivery, optical path optimisation, and stray light management * Drive experimental work to validate optical performance, including alignment procedures, sensitivity testing, and signal-to-noise analysis under clinically relevant conditions * Develop and maintain optical simulation models using tools such as Zemax, COMSOL, or equivalent, and translate simulation outputs into design specifications and tolerancing requirements * Work with photonic component suppliers including laser manufacturers for the development of custom solutions for CoMind’s products. * Support the integration of optical subsystems with mechanical, electronic, and embedded software components, working cross-functionally to ensure coherent end-to-end performance * Contribute to design reviews, risk analyses, and verification and validation activities in line with ISO 14971, ISO 13485, and IEC 60601-1 * Author and review technical documentation including optical design specifications, test protocols, and evidence packages for regulatory submissions * Identify and evaluate new optical components, materials, and approaches that could advance CoMind One’s sensing capabilities or improve manufacturability * AI is fundamental to our culture — it’s not just a tool, but a core part of how we work, collaborate, and innovate. We expect all team members to embrace AI in their daily work and continuously find new ways to use it effectively SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: * 10+ years of experience in optical engineering, with hands-on experience designing and validating precision optical systems * Deep expertise in laser interferometry, coherent optical sensing, or closely related optical measurement techniques * Experience in developing custom photonic components such as laser diodes, PICs or photodetector arrays. * Proficiency with optical simulation and modelling tools (Zemax, COMSOL, or similar) and experience translating simulation outputs into validated hardware designs * Strong experimental background, including precision optical alignment, characterisation, and troubleshooting of complex optical assemblies * Experience working within a regulated industry (medical devices, defence, semiconductor, or similar) with familiarity with ISO 14971 and design control processes * Solid understanding of optical component technologies including laser sources, photodetectors, fibre optics, beamsplitters, and optical coatings NICE TO HAVE: * Background in biophotonics, diffuse optical imaging, or optical coherence tomography * Experience with miniaturisation of optical systems for wearable or portable hardware * Familiarity with cleanroom assembly and precision alignment techniques * Experience with tolerance analysis and DFM for optical assemblies at production scale * Knowledge of FDA regulatory pathways for optical medical devices BENEFITS: * Company equity plan so all employees share in the success of the company * Salary-sacrifice pension scheme * Private medical, dental and vision insurance (medical history disregarded) * Group life assurance at 4x annual income * Comprehensive mental health support, including unlimited access to 1:1 sessions with trained professionals * Unlimited holiday allowance (+ bank holidays) and one week of remote working per quarter * Lunch voucher (£10) every day for JustEat and free dinner on those days where you need to work later * Twice weekly deliveries of fresh fruit and an extensive selection of snacks and drinks * YuLife subscription, allowing you to turn your daily steps and meditation into discounts at a range of stores DISCLAIMER - We use AI notetaking tools to transcribe interviews for internal review. 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ABOUT THE ROLE AND TEAM Since 2021 our team has been listed every year in the “Top 100 Startups worth watching” in the EE Times, and our technology breakthroughs have been featured in The Telegraph, BBC and the New Statesman. Our founders are internationally renowned researchers from UCL and Oxford University who have pioneered the development of qubits and quantum computing architectures. Our chairman is the co-founder of Cadence and Synopsys, the two leading companies in the area of Electronic Design Automation. We’re backed by a team of top-tier investors, and we have recently closed our Series C funding of $160 million. We bring together the brightest quantum engineers, integrated circuit (IC) engineers, quantum computing theoreticians and software engineers to create a unique, world-leading team, working together closely to maximise our combined expertise. Our collaborative and interdisciplinary culture is an ideal fit for anyone who thrives in a cutting-edge research and development environment focused on tackling big challenges and contributing to the development of scalable quantum computers based on silicon technology.   Our team of 100+ is based in Oxford and London, with a centre of mass in our Islington lab. OUR TEAM As the Head of Systems Delivery, you will report into the Executive Director and own the day-to-day technical execution of system delivery, turning strategic direction into reliable, consistent system deployments by bridging quantum engineering with system engineering. You will lead cross-functional teams to build, install, bring-up, stabilise, and gain acceptance of full-stack, silicon spin qubit-based quantum systems, both in our labs as well as at international client sites. This is a hands-on technical leadership role focused on first-of-a-kind system build-out, delivery under uncertainty, and converting deployments into consistent, stable, and scalable delivery models. You will not be responsible for developing the core quantum technology, but you will be accountable for delivering it successfully, even when it is new and evolving. If your background is in quantum engineering or experimental physics and you’ve been deeply involved in bringing systems out of the lab and into reliable operation, we encourage you to apply. FUNCTIONS OF THE ROLE * Lead the day-to-day execution of system delivery and deployment, from planning through commissioning. * Own delivery timelines, dependencies, risks, and outcomes. * Build and continuously improve playbooks, documentation, and quality standards for system installation, bring-up, validation, stabilisation, and acceptance. * Coordinate across engineering (e.g., quantum hardware, software, system integration, IC validation, theory, cloud) and product to ensure delivery meets requirements. * Provide system-level feedback across the stack to support design for deployment, producibility, and manufacturability.  * Own system procurement, from requirements and supplier selection through purchasing and delivery, ensuring alignment with technical and delivery requirements. * Own readiness beyond go-live, including support, training, change management, and adoption for internal and client teams. * Lead the technical collaboration with customer-facing teams. * Provide technical input to proposals and tenders. * Travel domestically and internationally to QM and client sites.  EXPERIENCE - ESSENTIALS * Strong systems engineering, quantum engineering, or senior technical delivery background, grounded in hands-on technical experience. * Track record delivering complex, full-stack systems (hardware, software, infrastructure, and operations), including first-of-a-kind systems and their evolution into reproducible, stable deployments. * Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams through system installation, bring-up, integration, deployment, operational readiness, and acceptance. * Experience owning procurement and supplier relationships for technical delivery, including defining requirements, selecting suppliers, and purchasing hardware and services. * Strong technical judgment to understand system interactions, integration risks, and operational constraints, without owning core technology development. * Clear, effective communicator able to translate executive intent into actionable day-to-day technical delivery execution and represent delivery decisions confidently. * Willingness and eligibility to travel internationally. EXPERIENCE - DESIRABLE * Experience working with quantum systems, e.g., quantum computing and/or cryogenics. * Experience delivering other deep tech or research-driven systems, e.g., quantum-adjacent platforms, advanced hardware/software systems, HPC, semiconductors. * Experience working directly with customer engineering teams during system deployment, integration, or support. * Experience contributing technical input to proposals or tenders. BENEFITS * Be part of a creative, world-leading team * Competitive salary and share options scheme * Contributory pension scheme * Group private medical insurance scheme * Life Assurance * Cycle-to-work Scheme  * Central London location EEO STATEMENT Quantum Motion is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate based on age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, colour, religion, disability status, marital status, pregnancy, gender reassignment or any other protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010.