Optical Engineering Manager

CoMind

At CoMind, we are developing a non-invasive neuromonitoring technology that will result in a new era of clinical brain monitoring. In joining us, you will be helping to create cutting-edge technologies that will improve how we diagnose and treat brain disorders, ultimately improving and saving the lives of patients across the world. THE ROLE: The Optical Engineering team at CoMind is responsible for the photonics systems at the heart of CoMind’s technology, designing and developing the laser interferometry platform that enables continuous, non-invasive measurement of human physiology parameters. The team spans optical system design, component selection and test, precision alignment, optical modelling, and integration with mechanical and electronic subsystems. As Staff Optics Engineer, you will be a senior individual contributor within the Optical Engineering team, taking ownership of complex optical design challenges and contributing to the development and integration of the photonic platform from concept through to validated hardware. You will have a strong background in developing and manufacturing complex photonic based products. The role reports into the Optical Engineering Manager within the Product Development team. You will work closely with component suppliers, research, product development and manufacturing teams to integrate leading edge photonic components including fiber optics lasers, PICs, custom photodetectors into the products. With a strong background in photonics based product design, you will work across optical system design, experimental characterisation, and subsystem integration and manufacturing. At CoMind, all team members work at least 4 days per week in the office, plus a flexible work-from-home day. This role can be based in either the London (Kings Cross) or Bristol office. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Own the design, modelling, and characterisation of optical subsystems including interferometry configurations, laser beam delivery, optical path optimisation, and stray light management * Drive experimental work to validate optical performance, including alignment procedures, sensitivity testing, and signal-to-noise analysis under clinically relevant conditions * Develop and maintain optical simulation models using tools such as Zemax, COMSOL, or equivalent, and translate simulation outputs into design specifications and tolerancing requirements * Work with photonic component suppliers including laser manufacturers for the development of custom solutions for CoMind’s products. * Support the integration of optical subsystems with mechanical, electronic, and embedded software components, working cross-functionally to ensure coherent end-to-end performance * Contribute to design reviews, risk analyses, and verification and validation activities in line with ISO 14971, ISO 13485, and IEC 60601-1 * Author and review technical documentation including optical design specifications, test protocols, and evidence packages for regulatory submissions * Identify and evaluate new optical components, materials, and approaches that could advance CoMind One’s sensing capabilities or improve manufacturability * AI is fundamental to our culture — it’s not just a tool, but a core part of how we work, collaborate, and innovate. We expect all team members to embrace AI in their daily work and continuously find new ways to use it effectively SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: * 10+ years of experience in optical engineering, with hands-on experience designing and validating precision optical systems * Deep expertise in laser interferometry, coherent optical sensing, or closely related optical measurement techniques * Experience in developing custom photonic components such as laser diodes, PICs or photodetector arrays. * Proficiency with optical simulation and modelling tools (Zemax, COMSOL, or similar) and experience translating simulation outputs into validated hardware designs * Strong experimental background, including precision optical alignment, characterisation, and troubleshooting of complex optical assemblies * Experience working within a regulated industry (medical devices, defence, semiconductor, or similar) with familiarity with ISO 14971 and design control processes * Solid understanding of optical component technologies including laser sources, photodetectors, fibre optics, beamsplitters, and optical coatings NICE TO HAVE: * Background in biophotonics, diffuse optical imaging, or optical coherence tomography * Experience with miniaturisation of optical systems for wearable or portable hardware * Familiarity with cleanroom assembly and precision alignment techniques * Experience with tolerance analysis and DFM for optical assemblies at production scale * Knowledge of FDA regulatory pathways for optical medical devices BENEFITS: * Company equity plan so all employees share in the success of the company * Salary-sacrifice pension scheme * Private medical, dental and vision insurance (medical history disregarded) * Group life assurance at 4x annual income * Comprehensive mental health support, including unlimited access to 1:1 sessions with trained professionals * Unlimited holiday allowance (+ bank holidays) and one week of remote working per quarter * Lunch voucher (£10) every day for JustEat and free dinner on those days where you need to work later * Twice weekly deliveries of fresh fruit and an extensive selection of snacks and drinks * YuLife subscription, allowing you to turn your daily steps and meditation into discounts at a range of stores DISCLAIMER - We use AI notetaking tools to transcribe interviews for internal review. By proceeding, you consent to this. Let us know if you'd prefer we don't.

CoMind

At CoMind, we are developing a non-invasive neuromonitoring technology that will result in a new era of clinical brain monitoring. In joining us, you will be helping to create cutting-edge technologies that will improve how we diagnose and treat brain disorders, ultimately improving and saving the lives of patients across the world. THE ROLE: The Hardware team designs and builds the physical hardware at the heart of CoMind's devices, from precision analogue circuits, FPGA systems, and PCB design through to mechanical enclosures and optical assemblies. This team takes systems from prototype through to manufacture, working to medical device standards and collaborating closely with optics, software, and clinical teams to deliver hardware that is safe, reliable, and production-ready. As the Electronics Engineering Manager, you will be responsible for all electronics and FPGA development at CoMind. This hands-on role combines deep technical execution with team leadership and engineering operations. You will personally design complex hardware systems, establish tools and processes that scale, own technical development roadmaps, and lead a talented team through detailed design, verification, and manufacturing transfer of CoMind’s neuromonitoring device. At CoMind, all team members work at least 4 days per week in the office, plus a flexible work-from-home day. This role can be based in either the London (Kings Cross) or Bristol office. RESPONSIBILITIES: * Own technical roadmaps for electronics development, aligning with product and system requirements * Own system integration, hardware bring-up, verification, and performance validation of electronic systems * Manage and mentor a team of 3-8 electronics and FPGA engineers, setting priorities, individual development plans, conducting performance reviews, and maintaining a high standard of engineering practice * Lead the end-to-end design of complex mixed-signal electronic systems, including high-speed digital (e.g. JESD204B) and low-noise analogue circuits * Architect, design, and deliver multi-layer PCBs (up to 16 layers, HDI), ensuring signal integrity, power integrity, and DFM best practices * Oversee FPGA architecture and development, driving RTL design, DSP pipelines, high-speed interfaces, timing closure, and hardware bring-up in Vivado across the full product lifecycle * Ensure designs comply with IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2, ISO 14971, and ISO 13485, maintaining documentation and traceability in line with CoMind's QMS * Drive the transition from prototype to production, managing relationships with manufacturing partners and component suppliers, and supporting regulatory (QARA) activities * Establish and maintain engineering processes, SOPs, and best practices to ensure scalable and high-quality development * Administer core engineering tools and infrastructure (e.g. Altium Designer, design libraries, Bitbucket repositories) * Manage lab infrastructure, equipment, and external contractors (e.g. PCB layout), ensuring effective execution and resource utilisation * AI is fundamental to our culture — it's not just a tool, but a core part of how we work, collaborate, and innovate. We expect all team members to embrace AI in their daily work and continuously find new ways to use it effectively. SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: * 5+ years of progressive electronics engineering experience, with at least 2 years in a team lead or engineering management role * Demonstrated experience with high-speed digital design: LVDS, JESD204B, SerDes, HDI PCBs, signal integrity and power integrity analysis * Experience designing real-time data acquisition or processing systems, including multi-FPGA and software interfaces * Proven experience designing medical-grade or regulated-industry electronics through full product lifecycle, with working knowledge of IEC 60601-1, ISO 14971, and ISO 13485 * Experience leading or mentoring engineers, with the ability to manage and grow high-performing teams * Experience defining system architectures and/or working with FPGA-based systems and high-throughput data pipelines * Experience establishing engineering processes, standards, and toolchains (e.g. design libraries, version control, workflows) * Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with experience working alongside software, mechanical, and manufacturing teams NICE TO HAVE: * Background in optical laser interferometry, optical coherence tomography, or optical biophysical measurement * Familiarity with Linux, Python, C/C++ and other hardware enabling skills and tools * Experience with high-throughput real-time DSP pipelines (FFT, FIR/IIR filtering) in FPGA fabric * Six Sigma Green/Black Belt or equivalent continuous improvement qualification BENEFITS: * Company equity plan so all employees share in the success of the company * Salary-sacrifice pension scheme * Private medical, dental and vision insurance (medical history disregarded) * Group life assurance at 4x annual income * Comprehensive mental health support, including unlimited access to 1:1 sessions with trained professionals * Unlimited holiday allowance (+ bank holidays) and one week of remote working per quarter * Lunch voucher (£10) every day for JustEat and free dinner on those days where you need to work later * Twice weekly deliveries of fresh fruit and an extensive selection of snacks and drinks * YuLife subscription, allowing you to turn your daily steps and meditation into discounts at a range of stores DISCLAIMER - We use Granola, an AI notetaker, throughout our interview process to help capture notes. It's used only for note-taking during the conversation. Transcripts aren't saved to shared drives or stored externally. Let us know if you'd prefer we don't.

Sumup

About the team The Global Bank engineering organisation is responsible for the financial infrastructure that powers SumUp's banking products across multiple markets — and this role sits at the heart of it. As a Senior Engineering Manager, you'll provide leadership across a critical product area and cross-cutting initiatives, ensuring engineering delivery is resilient, scalable, and aligned with regulatory requirements. What makes this opportunity genuinely exciting is that you won't just be stepping into an existing structure — you'll be the first Senior EM based in London, with the mandate to build a team around you and grow a meaningful engineering presence in one of the world's strongest tech talent markets. 🤓Learn more about the Global Bank at SumUp What you'll do * Lead and develop a group of Engineering Managers, supporting their growth through coaching, skip-levels, and performance conversations, while also directly managing a small squad of engineers in London * Own one or more strategic engineering initiatives within the Global Bank — defining scope, aligning with product leadership, and driving delivery across squads and tribes * Establish and uplift tribe-wide engineering practices across areas such as observability, incident response, security, or AI workflows, setting standards that go beyond a single squad * Act as a senior escalation point for production incidents and complex cross-squad technical challenges, driving resolution and follow-through * Partner closely with InfoSec, Risk, Compliance, and Internal Audit to ensure engineering practices meet regulatory requirements and are audit-ready * Serve as a bar raiser in hiring panels and talent reviews, helping to maintain a consistent and high standard of engineering across the tribe You'll be great for this role if … * Proven track record of managing Engineering Managers, with experience in coaching, performance management, and talent reviews in a complex, multi-squad environment * Strong technical background in backend or full-stack engineering, with enough hands-on depth to earn credibility with engineers and contribute meaningfully to technical decisions * Experience owning cross-functional or cross-tribe initiatives that shaped technology direction at an organisational level * Ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, communicate clearly across technical and non-technical audiences, and guide teams through shifting priorities with confidence * Comfort navigating regulated environments — whether financial services, healthtech, or similar — where compliance and audit readiness are part of the day-to-day Why you should join SumUp * 🌎 Opportunity to work with a truly global, multicultural team from our central office location - this involves an office-first setup * 🌈 Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: be part of a workplace that values and promotes diversity, fostering an inclusive environment where everyone's perspectives are respected and embraced * 🚀 Enrolment onto our Virtual Stock Option programme: you will own a stake in SumUp's future success * 🏖 Generous time off: enjoy 28 days of paid leave, plus bank holidays and special leaves * 📚 A dedicated annual L&D budget for attending conferences and/or advancing your career through further education * 🏥 Health matters: private health insurance, including optical and dental * 🚗 Life made easier: salary-sacrifice commuter benefits via Gogeta * 💼 Financial security: retirement scheme (SumUp matches 7% when you contribute 5%) * 🛡 Peace of mind: life insurance from MetLife for 2× your salary * 🌴 Break4me: 1-month sabbatical after 3 years of service * 🔗 Referral Bonus: earn additional rewards by referring talented individuals to join the SumUp team * 🌍 We support Visa sponsorship for this role About SumUp Be empowered to do more that matters. At SumUp, we're on a mission to empower small businesses across the globe by providing simple and affordable tools that allow them to thrive. Today, over 4 million businesses in 37 markets rely on SumUp as their financial partner to manage payments, finance and customer relationships. Our commitment to small businesses is reflected in our diverse team of over 3,000 SumUppers from over 90 nationalities, united by global collaboration and an innovative mindset. Our core values lay the foundation for who we are and what we stand for, shaping our work culture and driving our success. We foster inclusivity and a continuous learning culture, providing a safe space for personal and professional growth. Our differences make us unique and strong as we strive to create an environment where everyone belongs and feels supported, no matter how they identify. SumUp is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, actively seeking and embracing diversity in our workforce. We don't make hiring or employment decisions based on race, colour, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other basis protected by applicable laws or prohibited by company policy. Our commitment extends beyond recruitment to creating a safe and respectful workplace where harassment of any form is strictly prohibited. Discover more about our culture and opportunities on our careers website, and follow our journey on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok. Job Application Tip We recognise that candidates feel they need to meet 100% of the job criteria in order to apply for a job. Please note that this is only a guide. If you don’t tick every box, it’s ok too because it means you have room to learn and develop your career at SumUp.