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Principle Optical Research Scientist - Job Opportunity at PerkinElmer

High Wycombe, United Kingdom
Full-time
Senior
Posted: May 25, 2025
On-site
Based on the senior technical leadership requirements, location in High Wycombe, and PerkinElmer's market position, the salary range is likely £65,000-£85,000 annually, potentially reaching £90,000+ with extensive experience in commercial optical instrumentation. The role's strategic importance and technical leadership responsibilities suggest compensation in the upper quartile for optical scientists in the UK market.

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic optical development initiatives across PerkinElmer's diverse analytical instrumentation portfolio, directly impacting the company's competitive position in spectrophotometry, atomic spectroscopy, and imaging markets through advanced optical system design and optimization
Drive system-level specification definition and validation processes that ensure optical performance metrics align with market requirements and customer needs, establishing the technical foundation for successful product launches
Execute comprehensive optical design optimization using advanced modeling tools like Zemax to achieve critical performance parameters including sensitivity, resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and manufacturability, directly contributing to product differentiation
Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise across multiple concurrent projects, influencing design decisions that impact product performance and market success
Champion research and development of novel spectroscopic techniques and innovative optical solutions that position PerkinElmer at the forefront of analytical instrumentation technology
Lead cross-functional collaboration with global R&D teams across UK, China, and North America, ensuring seamless integration of optical systems with mechanical, electrical, and software components
Drive root cause analysis and resolution of complex manufacturing and field issues, implementing corrective actions that improve product reliability and customer satisfaction
Mentor junior optical scientists and engineers, building organizational capability and ensuring knowledge transfer for sustained technical excellence
Author comprehensive technical documentation and research papers that establish PerkinElmer's thought leadership position in optical instrumentation

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's Degree (or higher) in Physics, Optical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline. A Master's or PhD is highly preferred

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of significant experience in a technical leadership role focused on the design, development, and integration of complex free-space and imaging optical systems for instrumentation

Required Skills

Expert-level proficiency in optical design software (e.g., Zemax) for ray tracing, analysis, tolerancing, and optimization Demonstrable experience in specifying optical components (lenses, mirrors, gratings, detectors, light sources) and a strong understanding of their manufacturing processes and limitations Proven track record of working within structured product development programs (e.g., phase-gate processes) from concept to market launch Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and experimental design skills, with a data-driven approach Strong ability to assess technical risks, identify failure modes, and develop mitigation strategies Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences Proven ability to plan, manage, and drive technical projects to completion
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The analytical instrumentation market is experiencing rapid growth driven by increasing demand for precision measurement in pharmaceutical development, environmental monitoring, and materials science applications. Advanced optical technologies are becoming increasingly critical for next-generation spectroscopic and imaging systems that require higher sensitivity, faster analysis times, and improved automation capabilities. There is a significant industry shift toward integrated optical-electronic systems that combine traditional spectroscopy with artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. Companies are investing heavily in optical scientists who can bridge the gap between fundamental optical physics and practical implementation in commercial instrumentation platforms. The global push for sustainability and environmental compliance is driving demand for more sophisticated analytical instruments capable of detecting trace contaminants and performing real-time monitoring. This trend is creating opportunities for optical scientists who can develop innovative detection methods and improve instrument sensitivity and selectivity.

Role Significance

The position likely involves leading a team of 3-8 optical scientists and engineers, with additional matrix management responsibilities across multidisciplinary product development teams. The role includes mentoring responsibilities and collaboration with global R&D centers, suggesting influence over a broader network of 15-25 technical professionals.
This is a senior technical leadership position that operates at the intersection of research and commercial product development. The role holder will have significant influence over product strategy and technical direction, with responsibility for mentoring junior staff and representing the company's optical expertise in cross-functional teams and external collaborations.

Key Projects

Development of next-generation spectrophotometer platforms incorporating advanced optical designs for improved sensitivity and measurement speed Implementation of novel laser-based analytical techniques for emerging market applications in pharmaceutical and environmental analysis Optimization of existing product lines for enhanced manufacturability and cost reduction while maintaining or improving optical performance Investigation and resolution of complex optical system failures in manufacturing and field applications Research and development of innovative optical technologies that can be integrated into future product roadmaps

Success Factors

Deep technical expertise in optical system design combined with strong commercial acumen to understand market requirements and translate them into viable technical solutions that can be manufactured cost-effectively Exceptional project management and leadership skills to coordinate complex development programs across multiple global sites while maintaining technical quality and meeting aggressive development timelines Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities to diagnose and resolve complex optical system issues, particularly in manufacturing and field environments where multiple variables may contribute to performance degradation Effective communication and collaboration skills to work successfully with cross-functional teams including mechanical engineers, software developers, manufacturing specialists, and business stakeholders who may not have deep optical expertise

Market Demand

High demand exists for senior optical scientists with commercial instrumentation experience, particularly those with expertise in spectroscopic systems and Zemax proficiency. The combination of technical depth and leadership capabilities required for this role represents a relatively scarce skill set in the market, creating strong demand and competitive compensation packages.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Zemax proficiency is absolutely essential as it serves as the primary tool for optical system design, analysis, and optimization across all of PerkinElmer's product lines. Advanced capabilities in ray tracing, tolerancing, and optimization are required for success in complex optical system development. Deep understanding of optical component specification and manufacturing processes is critical for designing systems that can be successfully manufactured at scale while meeting performance requirements. This knowledge directly impacts product cost, quality, and manufacturability. Project management and technical leadership skills are essential for coordinating complex development programs across multiple global sites and ensuring successful integration of optical systems with other engineering disciplines. Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities are crucial for diagnosing complex optical system issues and developing effective solutions, particularly in manufacturing and field support situations where rapid resolution is required.

Beneficial Skills

Experience with emerging optical technologies such as quantum sensors, advanced laser systems, or novel detector technologies could provide significant advantages as the industry evolves toward more sophisticated measurement capabilities Knowledge of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in optical system design and data analysis is becoming increasingly valuable as the industry integrates these technologies into next-generation instrumentation Familiarity with regulatory requirements and quality systems in analytical instrumentation markets can be highly beneficial for ensuring product compliance and accelerating time-to-market for new developments Understanding of customer applications and market requirements in pharmaceutical, environmental, or materials science markets can provide valuable context for making design decisions that maximize commercial success

Unique Aspects

The role offers rare exposure to the complete spectrum of analytical optical instrumentation, from UV-Vis spectrophotometry to advanced atomic spectroscopy and laser-based systems, providing exceptional breadth of technical experience
Global collaboration opportunities across PerkinElmer's international R&D network offer unique exposure to diverse market requirements and technical approaches, enhancing professional development and technical perspective
The position combines fundamental optical research with immediate commercial application, allowing for direct impact on products used by thousands of laboratories worldwide
Access to cutting-edge optical design tools and manufacturing capabilities provides opportunities to work at the forefront of optical instrumentation technology

Career Growth

Career progression to executive technical leadership roles typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing individuals in this type of senior scientist position, particularly given the strong demand for experienced optical engineering leaders in the analytical instrumentation industry.

Potential Next Roles

Principal Scientist or Distinguished Engineer positions with broader technical leadership responsibilities across multiple product lines and technology platforms R&D Management roles such as Director of Optical Engineering or VP of Technology Development, focusing on strategic planning and team leadership Chief Technology Officer positions at smaller analytical instrumentation companies or startup organizations developing innovative optical measurement technologies Technical consulting roles or entrepreneurial opportunities in the rapidly growing photonics and analytical instrumentation markets

Company Overview

PerkinElmer

PerkinElmer is a global leader in analytical instrumentation and laboratory services, with a strong market presence in life sciences, diagnostics, and applied markets. The company has a long history of innovation in spectroscopy and analytical chemistry, with a comprehensive product portfolio that includes some of the most widely used analytical instruments in research and industrial laboratories worldwide.

PerkinElmer holds a strong competitive position in the analytical instrumentation market, competing directly with companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, Agilent Technologies, and Shimadzu. The company's focus on innovation and technical excellence has established it as a preferred supplier for many research institutions and industrial laboratories requiring high-performance analytical capabilities.
The High Wycombe location represents PerkinElmer's significant European R&D presence, with this facility playing a key role in the company's global product development strategy. The UK location provides access to world-class optical engineering talent and proximity to leading academic research institutions, making it an important hub for advanced optical technology development.
PerkinElmer typically offers a collaborative, innovation-focused work environment that values technical excellence and cross-functional teamwork. The company's global presence and diverse product portfolio provide opportunities for international collaboration and exposure to a wide range of technical challenges and market applications.
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