06 May 2026

Design Engineer – LED Optical Systems - Forge

Design Engineer – LED Optical Systems

Ulverston, Cumbria

Location: On-site at Ulverston, Cumbria. Remote working option, where balanced with regular visits to Forge.

Hours: 37 hours per week worked Monday-Friday. Hours negotiable from a minimum of 30 hours will be considered.

Benefits

External and in-house training courses provided, flexible working arrangements including lunchtime finish on Fridays, holiday buyback option, profit share scheme, free parking, cycle to work scheme, bike storage and shower facilities.

We know optical systems engineering is special and we will invest in a programme of internal and external training for the right candidate! If you have engineering experience, are eager to develop innovative designs for a wide variety of applications, fascinated by technology and keen to learn new skills, this could be just the role for you! This is an exciting opportunity within the green economy working for a people-orientated, pioneering LED company!

The Role

As a Design Engineer – LED Optical Systems, you will be directly involved in:

  • Designing and developing custom LED optical systems,
  • Interpreting customer specifications and translating these into clear and coherent objectives, then developing and delivering custom solutions, on-time and on-budget,
  • Developing a deep understanding of LED technologies and becoming an expert in optical metrology, both in theory and in practice,
  • Design concept generation through to volume manufacture,
  • Commissioning & overseeing prototyping and, conducting product design validations,
  • Optical and electronic design of LED based products, and
  • Working to timescales, designing to cost and report writing.

The Candidate

Whatever your engineering background, we’re looking for someone who has:

  • A good engineering degree with an interest in optical design, or a good degree in Physics (ideally with applicable optical modules) or Mathematics or Computer Sciences with engineering experience and a strong motivation to develop and learn new skills,
  • Experience in optical design packages such as Trace Pro, Zemax, CodeV, Ansys, Lighttools would be useful,
  • Excellent IT skills including demonstrable proficiency in 3D CAD and authoring of technical drawings,
  • A solid understanding of the basic principles of optical system design,
  • An understanding of thermal dynamics, and a working knowledge of plastic injection mould tooling.

Why Work for Us?

At Forge, we’re really good at designing, manufacturing, and delivering cutting edge LED solutions. We design LED based systems for a vast range of markets, from commercial lighting, resin printing, horticultural propagation, sterilisation, all the way through to white goods and beyond. No two developments are the same as everything we do is custom. Harnessing over 30 years of experience in the LED industry, we harmonise multiple engineering disciplines to design and develop turn-key solutions according to specific customer requirements. You’d be working for an award-winning business focussed on innovative design, superior quality, and outstanding service. As an SME, we can give you plenty of variety, interesting challenges, training, and further your career progression.

To Apply

Send your CV together with a cover letter explaining why you are the right person for this role.

First interviews will be held via Teams.

Final interviews will be held in person in Ulverston.

Please visit www.forge.co.uk for further information. You can drop us an email at jobs@forge.co.uk or give us a call on 01229 580000.

Forge reserves the right to close the vacancy at any time, if it is deemed that there have been enough applications received. No agencies please.

Apply Now

Send your application to:

jobs@forge.co.uk