About this role
The Head of Engineering owns taking technology from one to scale, with primary ownership of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and associated light sources and detectors.
This role exists to turn proven concepts into a product that ships reliably, repeatedly, and at high standards. The photonic subsystem is the pacing item: its maturity defines packaging, integration, test strategy, and much of the downstream electronics, firmware, and software.
This is not a generalist engineering role.
This is a photonics-first scale-up role.
The RoleAs Head of Engineering, you are accountable for execution reality, with emphasis on photonics.
You own maturing photonic technology into something production-ready. At the same time, you are expected to develop an insanely steep learning curve across adjacent domains (MEMS, electronics, mechanics, firmware, and software) not to reinvent them, but to understand them deeply enough to make correct scale-up decisions.
You take concepts from the Head of R&D and:
Stress-test them against production constraints
Translate them into manufacturable designs
Manage the suppliers and partners needed to make them real
You must be able to interpret test data across non-photonic domains, understand failure modes, and reason about the mechanical, electrical, and software “glue” that holds the system together.
You lead by doing. You set standards by example. You are deeply hands-on in the lab and in code when it matters.
This role requires intensity. You must be willing to work extended hours and weekends when required.
What You’ll DoOwn delivery of PICs, lasers, and detectors from design freeze through scale-up.
Drive photonic maturity: stability, yield, repeatability, and margin.
Develop rapid working understanding of:
MEMS behaviour and test results
Electronics performance, noise, and interfaces
Mechanical constraints and packaging interactions
Firmware and software behaviour at system level
Without reinventing these domains, unless you have strong, evidence-backed ideas to improve them.
Manage and challenge external suppliers across MEMS, electronics, packaging, and test.
Lead photonics-centric automation across:
Design and layout checks
Simulation and modelling
Test, characterisation, and calibration
Tape-out, DRC, LVS, and sign-off
Be hands-on in the lab:
Optical alignment and characterisation
Debugging cross-domain issues using data
Correlating measurements with models
Write and maintain Python-based tooling for:
Test automation
Data analysis
Performance tracking and reporting
Define clear component-level performance targets and acceptance criteria.
Work closely with Head of R&D (architecture) and Head of Foundry (process and yield).
Python coding and lab competence are non-negotiable.
Required BackgroundYou must have:
Deep, hands-on photonics experience (PICs + lasers and/or detectors)
Plus technical experience with either one of the following:
MEMS sensor systems
ASIC / FPGA
You must have demonstrated:
Ability to take photonic technology beyond prototype
Ability to interpret and act on cross-domain test results
Ability to work productively with suppliers and partners
Ability to write and talk confidently and clearly about deep tech
How this role fitsReports directly to the CEO
Owns tape-out execution for photonic components
Can be blocked by Head of R&D, Head of Foundry, or CEO
Main reporter of progress towards product, using this skill for whitepapers, conferences, grant proposals
External owner of photonic production readiness and performance
Who This Role Is ForThis role is for someone who:
Has deep photonics expertise and wants to make it real at scale
Learns adjacent domains at extreme speed to make good decisions
Is comfortable relying on domain experts but can challenge them using data
Is bullish, demanding, and unwilling to accept sloppy execution
Has high standards, high integrity, and low ego
Does not need to reinvent everything to add value
Is accountable for outcomes, not activity
What success looks likePhotonics maturity & technical controlPhotonic components behave predictably across wafers, runs, operating conditions, and time. Clear understanding of performance margins, sensitivities, and yield drivers for PICs, lasers, and detectors
Photonics-related failure modes are understood, monitored, and shrinking - not rediscovered
Fewer surprises at system integration because the photonic core is stable and well-characterised
Automation, repeatability & standardsAutomated, repeatable photonics design, test, and release workflows are in place and actively used
Automation does not degrade quality, standards are preserved or raised as scale increases
Tape-out, DRC, LVS, test, and calibration processes are version-controlled, auditable, and boring (in the good way)
Manual heroics are being replaced by systems that work every time
Cross-domain understanding & integration readinessMEMS, electronics, firmware, and software issues are caught early because you can interpret the data and ask the right questions
You do not reinvent adjacent domains but you understand them well enough to:
Challenge assumptions
Spot inconsistencies
Prevent late-stage integration failures
The mechanical, electrical, and software “glue” holding the product together is increasingly robust and explicit
Cost, supply chain & leverageBOM costs are understood, tracked, and actively driven down without compromising performance or reliability
Critical components have:
Clear cost drivers
Identified second sources or credible backup plans
Explicit risk registers where second sourcing is not yet viable
Supplier dependencies are intentional, not accidental
External suppliers, consultants, and third parties are:
Clearly scoped
Actively managed
Held to demanding technical and delivery standards
Execution & organisational impactSuppliers move faster because expectations, interfaces, and acceptance criteria are clear.
Engineering execution becomes more predictable without becoming slower
Trade-offs between performance, cost, risk, and schedule are explicit and evidence-based
The team feels pressure but also clarity. There is less thrash and fewer “emergency” surprises
The technical bar across the organisation is visibly higher:
Better experiments
Cleaner data
Sharper questions
Fewer hand-wavy explanations
Visibility & convictionRegular demos presented to the board on product maturity & hitting performance targets
Working with usCompensation: Our framework is built on fairness and transparency, with regular reviews to reflect growth and performance.
Benefits: Share options, pension, and private medical insurance.
Culture: A deep-tech rocketship backed by leading investors. We’re building breakthrough technology with real commercial impact. Pace is high. Standards are higher.
Zero Point Motion is determined to foster belonging and empowerment at work. We are committed to providing a work environment where there’s a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, and everyone is treated with respect. Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to our mission, and we strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us.