Optical Communication Systems Engineer – KTP Associate

The proposed system is a novel technology for RFoF, offering PPM a first-to-market opportunity for a novel product to meet a known market need. While system components are available off-the-shelf, knowledge required to develop an integrated product solution is not, and this KTP will provide PPM with the capabilities to take a novel product to market.

This KTP is a great opportunity for someone who wishes to plan and deliver business change. You will work with senior University academics on a commercial project which puts theory and modelling into practice. Due to the high sensitivity involved in this project, it is highly unlikely that the candidate will be able to publish any journals or papers from the results until a few years after completion.

Candidate Profile: Minimum Masters’ level degree in Photonics/Optics with relevant practical / work experience in the field. A PhD would be desirable.

Skills/ experience required include:

Essential

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills related to photonic/optic-based systems.
Expertise and hands-on experience in designing, testing and optimising photonic networks.
Proficiency with simulation tools such as MATLAB, Python, and ideally VPI photonic design suite.
Excellent communication and management skills.
Highly motivated and adaptable.
Strong ability to work independently and in a team.

Experience in the following would be desirable:

Experience of experimental optical communication system performance characterisation, test bed design and assembly
Recent publication record in international journals and high impact conferences.
Long-haul/unrepeated high-capacity transmission system testing.
Creative problem-solving skills.
Demonstrable track record of team working.
Good English language communication skills to relay work in spoken and written media.
Ability to contribute to and coordinate collaborative project reports and deliverables.
Knowledge of the protection of intellectual property.

Main responsibilities:

Initially assume the Development Team Lead and Systems Architect roles, overseeing the efforts of a wider development team.
Generate whitepapers, technical notes and video for use as sales channel training materials/marketing collateral.
Participate in engineering team monthly staff meetings.
Embed learning from lab work at Aston University into PPM staff.
To carry out work in line with the project plan to which you are assigned, initiating novel ideas and contributing to the planning of associated research tasks.
To undertake numerical simulation, experimental investigations, and the prototype building
To maintain accurate and traceable working records, including appropriate software version control and links to raw data
To Maintain a sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge research methods and techniques in the discipline
To contribute to the generation, protection and exploitation of intellectual property.
Fully engage in all relevant safety protocols, taking responsibility for your own safety and highlighting risks which may impact others.
To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably requested and that are commensurate with the nature and grade of the post

This Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project will incorporate novel amplification approaches to develop an extended reach Radio over Fibre (RFoF) transport system for long transmission distances.