Optical Engineering Manager up to £85,000 DOE - ID48663, Oxfordshire

Ready to lead a specialist optics team while staying close to the technology?

Want to shape how complex optical systems are designed, delivered and improved?

Looking for a role where you can combine hands-on technical leadership with real people development?

Our client is a growing UK-based technology business working on highly complex, precision-engineered products.

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who enjoys both technical problem-solving and people leadership. You will be joining a collaborative engineering environment where your expertise will influence product quality, team growth and long-term technical strategy.

Reward and Benefits

The package includes:

• Salary of up to £85,000 , depending on experience
• 25 days’ annual leave
• Private healthcare benefits
• Death in service cover
• Pension contributions
• Share scheme
• Flexible hybrid working where possible after an initial onboarding period

Why This Role is Great

This role gives you the chance to:

• Lead, coach and develop a talented optics team
• Stay hands-on with technical delivery rather than stepping away from the engineering
• Help set quality standards across optical design, analysis and product development
• Shape tools, processes and ways of working as the team continues to grow
• Collaborate with senior technical leaders, project teams and wider engineering functions
• Support continuous improvement across products, people and processes
• Work with external specialists and partners where additional capability is needed
• Balance immediate delivery with building a stronger, more capable team for the future

About You

This could suit someone who has built strong experience in optical engineering and is now looking to take greater ownership of team leadership, technical direction and delivery.

The experience Wishlist includes:

• A background in optical engineering, optical design or a closely related technical field
• Experience leading, mentoring or managing people
• Confidence working on complex optical systems within product-focused environments
• Familiarity with optical modelling tools and data analysis tools such as Zemax, MATLAB, Python or similar
• Experience considering practical product factors such as alignment, stability, manufacturability and integration
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative working style
• An understanding of engineering lifecycle processes such as requirements, reviews and design delivery
• Experience working with suppliers, contractors or external technical partners would be useful

Diversity and Inclusion

Humand Talent Solutions and our client are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process and working environment. Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds, experiences and identities. Adjustments can be made throughout the recruitment process where needed.