Senior Optical Measurement Systems Engineer
Microsoft · United Kingdom · 1d ago
Azure Fiber is looking for a Senior Optical Measurement Systems Engineer to join our Metrology team. You will apply fundamental science to develop advanced measurement capabilities for optical fibre products, with particular relevance to hollow-core fibre and, where applicable, fibre-cable characterisation.
In this role, you will own significant measurement-system challenges from first principles through deployment. You will use fundamental physics and measurement science to explain the underlying optical behaviour, define what must be measured and establish methods that are both scientifically rigorous and practically useful. You will connect theoretical modelling with bench-top characterisation, then translate successful methods into robust, automated and fully productionised test systems. You will create clarity in technically ambiguous areas, make data-driven engineering decisions, and influence partners across research, product engineering, manufacturing and quality.
This is a hands-on laboratory role requiring regular on-site work in our state-of-the-art Romsey facilities. You will build, align, automate, troubleshoot and validate optical systems while helping others adopt rigorous measurement practices.
Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.
Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture, development and validation of optical measurement systems for fibre and related products, with emphasis on hollow-core fibre and occasionally cable-level measurements.
- Apply fundamental science—including optics, materials science and measurement physics—to identify observable signatures, derive measurement principles and develop new characterisation methods for complex fibre systems.
- Translate physical models and measurement theory into test requirements, measurement methods, uncertainty budgets, calibration strategies, traceability plans and acceptance criteria.
- Bridge early theoretical and bench-top characterisation work to repeatable production test solutions, including optical and electronic hardware, instrument control, automation software, data pipelines, fixtures, safety controls and maintainability.
- Design experiments and interpret observations relevant to fibre characterisation, including attenuation, mode coupling and modal content, polarisation effects, interference and other light–matter interactions.
- Establish and maintain measurement-system-analysis practices, including gauge repeatability and reproducibility studies, correlation studies, reference artefacts, calibration controls, statistical process control and capability assessment.
- Apply control-systems fundamentals to sensing, actuation, feedback, stabilisation and automation, improving the performance and robustness of laboratory and production equipment.
- Drive technical investigations and root-cause analysis across relevant areas; communicate decisions and risks clearly, influence cross-functional partners, mentor engineers and improve shared engineering standards.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Degree in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field AND technical engineering experience OR equivalent experience.
- Understanding of optical-fibre characterisation, light-scattering and related optical phenomena, together with control-systems fundamentals and the ability to lead complex technical work across teams.
- Demonstrated ability to develop hands-on optical measurement or characterisation systems, including laboratory instrumentation, experiment design, automation and data analysis.
Other Requirements:
- Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role.
- These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:
- Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in characterising optical fibres (hollow-core fibres would be a plus), fibre components or optical cable, using techniques such as cutback, OTDR or backscatter, modal, polarisation, interferometric or imaging measurements.
- Experience in converting research or prototype test methods into production equipment with appropriate throughput, reliability, serviceability, safety, data integrity and operational controls.
- Programming and test-automation experience using tools such as Python, C# or equivalent, including instrument communications, data pipelines, analysis and visualisation.
- Evidence of technical leadership at senior individual-contributor level: creating clarity in ambiguous problems, setting technical direction, influencing stakeholders, reviewing designs and mentoring other engineers.
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Optical Engineering IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across United Kingdom is £ 74,700.00 - £ 122,600.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.
Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/united-kingdom-corporate-pay.html
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.