Enigma People Solutions is recruiting an Optical Sensing and Imaging Scientist for an ambitious, high-growth technology start-up that is developing novel sensors with integrated digital solutions across the Energy sector. The Energy sector is currently going through an exciting transitional phase and our client is perfectly positioned to take full advantage of the new opportunities and market dynamics. Currently working with global energy companies and system integrators to test and deploy their sensors and digital applications across traditional industries like O&G, to reduce emissions, and new high-growth sectors like Carbon Capture & Storage and Hydrogen. Over the next 10 years the aim is to become the global leader in the measurement and analysis of industrial processes.
The company has completed development and commercialisation of its first product following an initial seed funding round, secured national innovation prizes and is looking for driven, ambitious individuals that can really make a difference and want to be involved in a fast-paced, high growth technology company.
This is a hands-on, diverse role that will further develop and prove your skills and concepts in a way that will be hugely beneficial to your career now and for the future. You will play a key role in realising the underpinning optical sensing technologies for the company’s next generation of industrial sensing and instrumentation products. The role has a strong initial focus on the development of novel sensing for the measurement of trace moisture in high pressure CO2, to enable scaling of the carbon capture and storage at BP Teesside, the UK’s largest Net-Zero hub. There is currently no commercial technology that meets the application requirements. You will be the focal point for the development of optical sensing techniques from an early exploratory stage (typically NASA TRL2), and then be able to see your designs through to testing in world-class facilities, proof of concept prototypes, detailed design and manufacturing. You will be working collaboratively with other internal and external engineers to produce holistic solutions to complex and demanding requirements for products that will be expected to survive in harsh environments.
To be of interest you will be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience
• Degree in Physics with doctoral-level studies in applied optical sensing, ideally utilising spectroscopy.
• 4-10 years of experience in an R&D environment for the development of optical sensing instruments.
• Demonstrable, practical experience of specifically developing the physics/sensing of spectroscopic analysis instruments and associated underpinning algorithms. A broader understanding or experience using additional techniques would be desirable.
• Demonstrable experience of working effectively in multidisciplinary teams, ideally involving optical design, electronics and optomechanics.
• Excellent understanding of refractive optical elements and geometric optics.
• Excellent understanding of light sources and single/FP detectors, particularly in the IR.
• Excellent understanding of fibre optic waveguides and practical failure modes.
• Good understanding of optical coatings and optical element mounting methods.
• Proficient in the use of a broad range of laboratory equipment, fixtures and components for optical and electro-optical system development and demonstration.
• Comfortable in the use of optics simulation software, particularly for non-imaging applications.
• Comfortable with the use of basic hand tools (screwdrivers, soldering iron etc.).
• Basic command of mechanical design software (Solidworks) would be beneficial.
• Candidates possessing experience of instrument design for harsh environments, explosive atmospheres, optics environmental testing would be very attractive
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Contribute to the analysis, decomposition and translation of requirements for novel sensing products. The products typically involve resonant spectroscopic absorption sensing/imaging in the N/M-IR.
• Devise or invent novel sensing concepts utilising new or existing optical sensing technologies. These are likely to involve NDIR/LED/DFB sources, high-NA and étendue bulk/fibre optics, IR detectors and appropriate signal analysis schemes.
• Predict and optimise the performance of the proposed concepts by analysis and simulation. This is likely to involve optimisation in Zemax/CodeV/FRED etc., as well as simple mathematical modelling of the sensing physics (Matlab/Mathcad/pen and paper).
• Prototype the sensing concepts in the optical lab and conduct trade studies to analyse and compare their performance. This will involve specifying, assembling and working with catalogue (Thorlabs/EO etc.) optics/optomechanics on optical breadboards.
• Produce simple renderings/drawings to communicate concepts, such as in Solidworks (using third party models), raytracing software for SQ/NSQ models.
To apply or for further information including a full job description please contact Ben Hanley – bhanley@enigmapeople.com