Laser Scientists

Opportunities in QinetiQ’s Laser & Optical Physics teams

The Laser & Optical Physics teams at QinetiQ Farnborough and Malvern are looking to add enthusiastic and talented individuals to their team of subject matter experts. You will be actively involved in delivering cutting-edge research relating to novel systems. Training in the exciting and growing technology of Laser systems will be provided.

You’ll be part of a business that was named the Most Admired Aerospace & Defence Company in the Britain’s Most Admired Companies 2021 study. We recognise that one of our core strengths is flexibility. We celebrate and promote a flexible working environment because we know it is valued and is a key enabler for a high performance and inclusive culture. In practice, how we work will be driven by factors such as customer requirements, safety, security, wellbeing, tools and facilities.

If your skills fit one of our opportunities, we’ll be in contact. If we don’t have a role that’s right for you at the moment, we’ll keep your CV on file for possible opportunities in the future.

What does the Laser & Optical Physics team do?

The team’s primary focus is driving and supporting QinetiQ’s efforts in the UK Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) space. If you are keen to see some of our work the ‘Dragonfire’ system has recently received a lot of press attention.

Day to day, we design and build experimental setups, define and capture stakeholder requirements, assemble, integrate and test systems, develop technological strategy, and provide bid-winning support to the business.

Varied career paths are a part of life at QinetiQ. You could specialise in a key skill or particular domain, or work on systems across the business. With increasing demand for Laser and Optical Scientists across our business, your skills are highly desired.  

Are you just starting you career as a professional scientist?

In your first role or have some experience in Lasers and Optics? Your talents may be a good match for our team. We recruit scientists with specific skillsets and areas of application, such as Optical design, Optical modelling, Machine vision and control, Laser development, sensing, Laser test and evaluation, and much more. Typical responsibilities would include:

• Generating technical reports and presenting the results
• Providing input to larger projects as part of a team of subject matter experts
• Undertaking technical tasks supporting novel optical systems and High Energy Laser (HEL) development

Opportunities for mid-career Scientists

If you’re a mid-career professional working in industry or academia, you’ll be applying your expertise right from day one. Whatever your specialism or background, you can expect ongoing development to help you excel and advance. This includes expert training and mentoring, with increased emphasis on self-development and on-the-job training. There are also opportunities for development of managerial and technical leadership skills. 

Opportunities for highly experienced Scientists

As a highly experienced Scientist, you can expect to directly drive and support QinetiQ’s strategy in LDEW and take on more advanced technical leadership responsibilities. Our Fellowship scheme recognises and develops professionals with high-level, specialist technical expertise.

Please note that all applicants must be eligible for SC clearance as a minimum. Applicants that already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment, subject to approval. A number of roles are also subject to restrictions on access to information that mean factors such as nationality, previous nationalities held and the country in which you were born may have an effect on the roles that you can be employed in.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Why we’re different

Our people. Our employees make the critical difference to customers by providing unique answers which combine technical expertise, deep domain knowledge and rigorous independent thinking.

Our independence. QinetiQ is not a manufacturer, and we stand apart from the supply chain. It’s our rigorous independent thinking that helps our customers achieve their goals.

Our breadth of capability. Our customers face challenges that define the modern world. They know we are uniquely placed to understand these issues and work with them to ensure the success of their mission or reach their objectives.

Our relationships with customers. Our prized possession is trust. Customers around the world rely on the drive and dedication of our people to help them meet their goals – often in environments where there is no second chance for failure.

Our partnerships. We use partnerships and alliances to accelerate compelling business development strategies and sustainable earnings growth. By licensing our intellectual property we reduce implementation and sales risk, and speed up time-to-market by using third party sales channels.

Why join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

You’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture here. 

Joining QinetiQ offers you an opportunity to work on a broad range of interesting defence-based projects with vast career progression across a global organisation in addition to competitive personal and professional benefits. You’ll receive a highly competitive salary and benefits package: our basic salaries are very attractive as we constantly review what’s happening in the market. The range of benefits that we offer include, adaptive and flexible working, generous holiday entitlements, All Employee Incentive Scheme, Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance and much more.

About QinetiQ

As a company of over 6,000 dedicated professionals, we are a world-centre of excellence in research and development and act as a catalyst for fast-track innovation, offering outstanding experimentation facilities, and technical, engineering and scientific expertise. QinetiQ is made up of dedicated experts in defence, aerospace, security and related markets, all working together to explore new ways of protecting what matters most. Being part of QinetiQ means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help to save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend. Come and find out how you can play a role.