Optical Engineer

About us

Plessey has a long history of innovation. Founded in 1956, we have evolved from one of Europe’s earliest semiconductor pioneers into the world’s most advanced MicroLED specialist. Over the decades, Plessey has built a first class, fully integrated platform designing, manufacturing, and engineering next-generation display technologies entirely in-house. This end to end capability, combined with our strong IP portfolio, uniquely positions us to lead the scaling of MicroLEDs from lab innovation to high-volume production.

Our future is even brighter. We believe MicroLEDs will define the next era of technology—powering ultra-efficient AR/VR displays, driving optical processors that make AI faster and more sustainable, and enabling devices yet to be imagined. With our unique expertise and talented team, we are positioned to lead this transformation.

It’s an exciting time to join us: Plessey has recently been acquired by Haylo Labs, accelerating our growth and opening new opportunities.

Our Values

• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Commitment
• Care

Location

Based at our manufacturing facility in Plymouth, UK.

About the Role

You will be responsible for modelling, simulating, and optimising devices to achieve precise and high-quality colour performance. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to optimise both optical and thermal performance, developing and validating models that drive innovation at Plessey. This is an exciting opportunity to apply your expertise, solve challenging problems, and continue learning in a dynamic R&D environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Model, and optimise optical systems for MicroLED devices
• Perform ray tracing, optical simulations, and characterisation to validate designs
• Develop thermal models using COMSOL to predict device behaviour under operational conditions
• Collaborate with materials and device engineers to understand thermal-optical-material interactions
• Build and maintain optical models to support ongoing R&D initiatives
• Apply innovative problem-solving to novel optical and thermal challenges in MicroLED technology
• Learn and apply LightTools for optical design; prior experience is a plus but not required

Experience & Attributes

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or a related field
• Experience with optical design, modelling and simulations
• Understand the principles of colourisation
• Knowledge of polarisation and raytracing
• Experience in characterisation of optical devices
• Understanding of thermal effects on optical performance
• Ability to think holistically about materials, thermal, and optical interactions
• Experience building and validating optical models
• Good use of Comsol within research or industry

Advantage

• Exposure to LightTools or Zemax (training can be provided)
• Experience in MicroLED or semiconductor device optics, you understand how these devices are made
• Experience with colour conversion and had exposure to quantum dots and/or perovskites
• Experience in coding with Python (advanced level)