Senior Optical Engineer (contract)

Please note that this is a contract role providing services to Microsoft through external staffing partners of Allegis Global Solutions (AGS). If you are selected for this role, you will be employed by AGS and will not be an employee of Microsoft.

Role Summary

Microsoft Research Cambridge is hiring a Senior Optical Engineer to help develop the optical technologies that will power future AI infrastructure and next-generation AI clusters.

This is a highly hands-on R&D engineering role focused on designing optical systems, building experiments, performing optical measurements, automating tests, and solving complex fibre-optic challenges. The role sits at the intersection of research and product development, helping turn new optical concepts into real-world solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Conduct optical characterization and validation testing.
• Troubleshoot and refine existing optical measurement setups.
• Design and optimize optical assemblies using Zemax and physical optics principles.
• Perform optical tolerancing and support component specification development.
• Design and build optical alignment, assembly, and test systems.
• Improve laboratory test automation and measurement efficiency.
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems teams on packaged optical assemblies.
• Work with external suppliers and Microsoft product teams on technology development.

Must-Have Skills

1. Optical System Design

Required

• Zemax (strong preference)
• Ray-tracing software
• Optical design and optimization
• Optical tolerancing

Evidence

• Designed optical systems or sub-assemblies
• Experience moving designs from concept through testing

2. Physical Optics Expertise

Strong understanding of:

• Gaussian beam theory
• Diffractive optics
• Polarization optics

Evidence

• Applied physical optics in real engineering projects
• Can explain practical impact on optical system performance

3. Fibre Optics Experience

Required

• Fibre characterization
• Optical coupling techniques
• Fibre alignment
• Insertion loss optimization

Evidence

• Hands-on laboratory experience
• Troubleshooting coupling efficiency issues

4. Optical Testing & Characterization

Required

• Laboratory-based optical measurements
• Optical test setup development
• Performance characterization
• Experimental troubleshooting

Evidence

• Personally conducted measurements
• Built or modified test systems

5. Python

Required For

• Data analysis
• Test automation
• Experimental data processing
• Instrument control

Evidence

• Python scripting in lab environments
• Automated measurements or reporting workflows

6. Education

Required

• Bachelor's degree in:

  • Optical Engineering
  • Photonics
  • Physics
  • Optoelectronics
  • Similar relevant discipline

Preferred

• Master's degree
• PhD

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Advanced optical alignment techniques
• Automated optical test systems
• Optical packaging experience
• Silicon photonics
• Photonic integrated circuits (PICs)
• High-speed optical interconnects
• Datacenter optics
• AI infrastructure technologies
• Manufacturing transfer experience
• Supplier/vendor management

Experience Level Guidance

Ideal Experience

Bachelor's

• 8+ years relevant experience

Master's

• 5+ years relevant experience

PhD

• 3+ years post-PhD industry or applied research experience

Additional Details:

• Location: Cambridge, England
• Duration: 8 months 26 days
• Pay Range: £344/day to £388/day (PAYE)
• Shift Timing: Monday to Friday (Business Hours)
• Weekly Schedule: 40 hours

As a workplace, Allegis Global Solutions focuses on relationships – with each other, our clients and our candidates. In fact, serving others is one of our core values. We support open communication and recognize that giving constructive criticism can be even harder than receiving it. We appreciate the fearless and the passionate, who force us to be better. Everything we do sits on a pillar of diversity, equity and inclusion - diverse perspectives, backgrounds and ideas achieve innovation and make us successful.

Please note that we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position. These tools may analyze application materials and assist our team in identifying candidates whose qualifications best match the requirements of the role. If you have questions about our use of AI in the hiring process, or would like more information, please contact us.

Pay Rate Range

344 - 388 GBP daily