R&D Manager

Are you the next R&D Manager to help build and shape the software behind our next‑generation laser processing platform? If so, Opsydia would love to hear from you as we expand into new markets and unlock new technical opportunities.

Spun out from the University of Oxford in 2017, Opsydia is a specialist laser technology company harnessing decades of academic excellence and deep expertise in adaptive optics to enable the writing of features in transparent materials. Our writing technology has gone on to provide functionalities across scientific and industrial domains.

Our platform enables the creation of functional devices in optical glass, diamond, and other transparent media, powering disruptive applications in datacoms, quantum technologies, and advanced sensing.

THE ROLE

To support continued growth, we are seeking an R&D Manager to lead and coordinate the company's research and development activities. This role will ensure technical projects are prioritised, resourced and delivered in line with commercial objectives, customer commitments and the product roadmap.

Working closely with the CTO and cross-functional teams, the R&D Manager will drive innovation through structured project delivery, ensuring new technologies are successfully transitioned into reliable, manufacturable commercial products.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the R&D roadmap, ensuring alignment with company strategy, customer requirements and commercial priorities.
• Prioritise and deliver R&D programmes, balancing innovation, technical risk and resource allocation.
• Translate technical objectives into structured projects with clear milestones, deliverables and accountability.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration to ensure successful product development and transfer to manufacture.
• Manage project performance, resources and risks while driving continuous improvement in delivery practices.
• Support IP development, strategic partnerships and customer-facing technical activities.
• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing R&D team, building capability for future growth.

ABOUT YOU

You will be a technically credible leader with experience managing scientific, engineering or product development teams in a fast-paced environment. You will combine strong project leadership with commercial awareness and the ability to turn complex technical challenges into clear, actionable plans.

You will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Proven experience leading technical or scientific teams within a complex development environment.
• Strong technical background in photonics, optics, laser processing, precision systems or related technologies.
• Demonstrable track record of innovation, product development and/or IP generation.
• Excellent project and priority management skills, balancing innovation with delivery discipline.
• Experience translating technical challenges into structured plans with measurable outcomes.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of the role of R&D in supporting business growth and customer commitments.
• Ability to communicate priorities, risks and trade-offs effectively to senior leadership and customers.
• Experience representing a company at customer meetings, conferences or industry events.
• Degree qualified in Physics, Engineering, Photonics or a related discipline.

For this senior role, we expect applicants with significant experience in metrology, optics, and control systems, ideally with exposure to industrial-grade system integration and supplier engagement.

You might also have:

• Experience within a technology scale-up, advanced manufacturing or product development environment.
• Knowledge of ultrafast laser processing, integrated photonics, optical systems or precision motion control.
• Experience managing academic partnerships, external collaborators or customer-funded development programmes.
• Experience contributing to grant applications, collaborative R&D projects or technology commercialisation activities.
• Experience with advanced microscopy and analytical techniques.
• Track record of developing products and producing documentation for regulatory compliance.

If you don't meet all of the criteria above, but are interested in the role, please apply or get in touch to discuss further.

The role is advertised as full-time.

We are pleased to accommodate flexible and hybrid working where appropriate but, as a hardware company, we find hands-on system and collaboration time to be highly valuable, so encourage time spent in the office and expect this when required.

As part of the recruitment process a selected candidate will be required to undergo security screening to BPSS standard.

The closing date for applications to this role is Friday 16th October.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

Salary range: £65,000pa + dependant on experience.

Benefits

• Hybrid & flexible working arrangements
• Share option scheme
• Annual bonus scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• Group Income Protection and Life Assurance
• Enhanced family leave
• Company matched pension contributions up to 5%. Salary sacrifice arrangement is available
• 25 days paid leave plus bank holidays
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Mental Health and Wellbeing support and activities
• Supported further study or training for your professional and personal development
• Volunteering opportunities

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We are an equal opportunities employer and commit to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace whilst creating an environment which promotes dignity and respect for all. We post our job descriptions across a wide range of recruitment platforms to enable us to garner the most diverse range of candidates we possibly can.

ADJUSTMENTS AND PROVISIONS

We are dedicated to putting in place any reasonable adjustments that may be required to meet the needs of those who wish to apply for a position at Opsydia.

Please share if you have a declared disability, for example but not limited to: a social communication impairment such as autism spectrum disorder, a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD; a mental health condition, a sensory impairment affecting sight or hearing or a physical or mobility impairment.

ALTERNATIVE FORMATS

We can provide our job descriptions in an alternative format of video or audio description.

ABOUT OPSYDIA

Opsydia provides commercial systems based on adaptive optics which can directly generate photonic structures in a variety of transparent materials. Learn more at

The company is based in the Centre for Innovation & Enterprise at Begbroke Science Park north of Oxford. Begbroke offers comprehensive facilities on-site including a restaurant, coffee shop, free parking and a minibus service between the park and Oxford.

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