Head of Integrated Photonics/Senior Integrated Photonics Engineer

Bristol-based HealthTech/DeepTech start-up Siloton seeks a skilled and innovative technical lead who is interested in applying their photonics engineering skills to improve the lives of people with eye disease.

What we do
Over 5% of the world’s population has a disease which affects the key light-sensitive area at the back of the eye (the retina). In the developed world, retinal diseases are the leading cause of sight loss. One of the core elements that prevents people from going blind with these conditions is the ability to detect and monitor the disease, which is done via direct imaging of the retina.

Siloton is developing the next generation of retinal imaging or ‘OCT’ systems to provide better access to imaging units which may help to stop people from going blind from these diseases. Based on Siloton’s world-leading photonic chip technology, Siloton is developing a device that is robust and compact meaning that it can be more widely accessed by patients. This device will reduce the burden of treatment while removing bottlenecks in the clinical pipeline - alleviating pressure on healthcare systems, and ensuring patients receive the best-possible care. Siloton has active collaborations with a range of parties looking to exploit our photonic chip technology including NHS Trusts and the European Space Agency.

Siloton was founded in April 2020 in Bristol, UK. It was named one of the most groundbreaking startups in the UK (Startups) and was a recipient of the 2023 Institute of Physics Business Start-Up Award. In 2024, Siloton became the first company in the world to image a live human retina with a photonic chip.

To find out more, visit www.siloton.com or follow updates on Siloton’s LinkedIn page.

Role overview
Your role will be to lead the development of core integrated photonic capabilities as part of the dedicated and passionate engineering team of photonic, hardware, and software specialists working to create the next generation of retinal scanning device. The chip projects as part of this role will feed into a larger set of development goals leading towards direct imaging of patients and development of a device for clinical trials.

This is a wide-ranging technical role, covering many aspects of integrated photonics, with a diverse and interesting set of problems to solve. Your primary responsibilities will be to work with the CTO to lead the design, development, and implementation of photonic chips fundamental to prototype development and patient imaging. This includes but is not limited to:

• Setting the strategic and technical direction of photonic chip development to feed into the overall company focus and direction
• Managing a wider team to deliver key technical milestones for both core Siloton development and our projects with external customers
• Simulating and designing photonic integrated circuits (PICs) at both multi-project wafer and full-wafer scale
• Constructing and demonstrating prototype imaging devices incorporating photonic chips
• Testing, characterising, and demonstrating the functionality of existing and new photonic chip devices, including imaging via in-vivo and patient trials
• Establishing alignment/characterisation/assembly/manufacturing procedures as we move towards product launch
• IP generation and protection, including patent writing

Supplementary to this, there are additional opportunities to get involved with other work at Siloton based on personal interest, including but not limited to:

• A chance to engage and do technical development with our academic and clinical partners and advisors
• Providing technical input to business and customer development
• Direct experience with investor and fundraising activities
• Developing technology under a medical device quality management system (ISO-13485)
• Working with a broader team to develop technology for assessment in a formal clinical trial

The position includes the opportunity to gain experience in, and exposure to, many areas of integrated photonic design and implementation from core design and development through to direct user engagement (patient imaging). The role will have a primary focus on photonic chip engineering and demonstrations with the Siloton system, including integration and work with the wider electronic, photonic, and software systems. As the company progresses, the early entry of the person into the company will allow for growth of the role and the opportunity to take on more responsibility.

There will be opportunities for mentorship and training through both internal and external personnel.

Experience
The below requirements are to be used as guidelines to the role. We want to hear from anyone with an interest in applying for the role, even if you only meet some of the essential criteria.

Essential

• Experience in development/experimentation/R&D using photonic integrated circuits
• Experience in designing photonic integrated circuits (e.g. Synopsis, IPKISS, Nazca)
• Experience with photonic design software (e.g. Lumerical)
• Enjoy working as part of a team
• Creativity in problem solving
• Interested in working in a startup

Desirable

• PhD in a relevant discipline
• Optical lab experience
• Proficient in Python
• Previous experience managing technical teams
• Medical device, OCT, industry, or startup experience
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Working at Siloton
Siloton is developing a device for all to use and so we welcome and encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Flexible working options are available for this role.

We value everyone’s contributions equally, striving to ensure that our employees always have the opportunity to gain new skills and provide input into the direction of the company. Siloton is highly invested in supporting and developing employees as they form an integral part of the company and its success.

Our offices are based in the heart of Bristol, which has consistently been voted as one of the best cities to live in the UK. It is a city with a rich history and an exciting culinary scene and is renowned for its environmental and cultural progressivism. Bristol is an emerging tech centre in Europe, having been ranked as one of the top 20 tech hubs for venture capital investment, and 2nd in the UK.

How to apply
Please send a CV and cover letter to recruitment@siloton.com. Applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis so are encouraged to apply early.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

We are not working with recruitment agencies for this position.

Any questions or queries on the role can be sent to recruitment@siloton.com

Start date
As soon as possible.

Contract Type
Permanent, full time.

A part-time position is also possible but will be assessed on a case by case basis to meet workload requirements.

Salary and compensation
£50,000-£78,000 per annum depending on experience

Company share options package

Enhanced annual leave (25 days + bank holidays, with an extra day for each year of service up to 3 years)

Flexible working from home options (where possible)

Cycle to work scheme

In-year employee reward scheme

Paid sick leave

Enhanced paternity/maternity leave