Lead Optical Sensing Development Engineer

We are looking for a Lead Optical Sensing Development Engineer to take technical ownership of the development and realization of our optical sensing solutions. You will develop robust fiber-optic sensing solutions for demanding underwater environments, working across the full product lifecycle. This role combines hands-on engineering with technical leadership, requiring a Master's or PhD and at least 10 years of industrial experience.

HybridFull-timeLeadFiber-optic SensingOptical Sensor Development

Lead Optical Sensing Development Engineer

We are looking for a Lead Optical Sensing Development Engineer to take technical ownership of the development and realization of our optical sensing solutions. You will develop robust fiber-optic sensing solutions for demanding underwater environments, working across the full product lifecycle. This role combines hands-on engineering with technical leadership, requiring a Master's or PhD and at least 10 years of industrial experience.

Apply

HybridFull-timeLeadFiber-optic Sensing

Salary

Not specified

Work Location

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, NL

Work Model

Hybrid

Experience Required

10 years

Employment Type

Full-time

Experience Level

Lead

Core Qualifications

Technical (Must-have)

Fiber-optic sensingOptical sensor developmentPhotonicsPrecision optical systemsOptical physicsSensor designOptical assembliesCalibrationTestingCharacterizationData analysisStructured problem solvingDesign for manufacturabilityIndustrializationMentoring

Soft Skills

Collaborative mindsetMentoringTechnical leadershipEngineering judgementCommunicationProblem solving

Preferred Qualifications

Technical (Nice-to-have)

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)Subsea sensingPrecision mechanicsSensor packagingOpto-mechanical design

Key Responsibilities

•Lead the development and engineering realization of optical sensor subsystems throughout the product lifecycle.
•Translate product and subsystem requirements into robust optical sensing solutions.
•Develop fiber-optic sensing principles, sensor architectures, optical assemblies, packaging concepts, calibration methods and subsystem interfaces.
•Develop sensing solutions for temperature, pressure, heading and future sensing capabilities.
•Design and evaluate concepts, prototypes and engineering models through testing, characterization and analysis.
•Develop calibration methods and characterize sensor accuracy, repeatability, drift and environmental performance.
•Analyze test and verification results, identify failure modes and performance limitations, and drive technical improvements.
•Lead technical investigations, root cause analyses and engineering trade-offs related to sensor performance, stability and reliability.
•Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to resolve integration and interface challenges.
•Support Verification & Validation and industrialization, improving manufacturability, calibration efficiency and production repeatability.
•Make and drive subsystem-level technical decisions while balancing performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost and risk.
•Identify technical risks and dependencies early and help teams find practical solutions.
•Contribute to design reviews and multidisciplinary technical discussions, creating alignment around technical direction.
•Mentor and support engineers within the optical sensing domain while remaining an active hands-on engineering contributor.
•Contribute to the continuous improvement and long-term development of optical sensing technologies and engineering practices at Optics11.

Optical SensingFiber-opticLead EngineerDeep-techR&DPhotonicsSubseaHybridFull-timeAmsterdam