Laser & Optics Graduate 2022

It’s an exciting time to be join one of our Early Careers programmes at QinetiQ. We are always looking for great people to join our team, whether you are taking your first steps in starting a career or you are looking to make a career change, we have a wide range of exciting opportunities. If you would like to be part of one of our teams who are helping to improve today and shape tomorrow then we would love to hear from you! Once you’ve uploaded your CV/Resume, we’ll check to see if there is alignment between your skills, interests and the opportunities currently available & if so, we’ll be in contact.

Should there not be anything suitable at present, with your permission, we will keep your CV on file for consideration as future roles become available.

Applied science

Our Applied Science team are a multi-disciplinary team who are involved on a range of critical Customer projects and our work encompasses world-leading research (exploring the ‘art of the possible’) to comprehensive evaluation and testing of systems and components - as well as supporting the training of Service personnel. Our work can involve the modelling of scenarios, but a key part of your work is likely to involve working in laboratories and facilities which are often unique in the work undertaken and safe-working in these areas is paramount.

As a Laser & Optics Graduate you will be working within our Laser & Optical Physics (Effects) team who specialise in developing Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) systems capable of generating novel effects in materials. This includes the ‘UK DragonFire’ project, working towards the UK’s high energy laser weapon system capability. Although as a Laser & Optics graduate you will be expected to offer key insight into our laser and optical systems, you will be required to considers these systems holistically, from photons to nuts and bolts.

Academic requirements

You will need to have obtained or be studying towards at least a 2:1 in a degree with a key focus on any of the disciplines listed below:

• Physics
• Mathematics

We will also consider applications which have clear & relevant external experience in any of the above disciplines. You will also need to support this by having obtained or be studying towards at least a 2:1 degree.

Additional requirements

• An understanding of laser and optical physics
• A practical knowledge of optical design is beneficial
• Experience working with laboratory test and measurement equipment/instrumentation
• Ability to analyse and present data concisely
• Awareness of laser safety practices and standards is beneficial
• Experience working within a team and great interpersonal communication skills
• You must have graduated no earlier than 2019 OR will graduate no later than 2022

Additional benefits

• Annual Leave – want more time for you? Employees can buy up to five days more holiday a year with this benefit.
• Annual Travel Insurance – QinetiQ employees can get their annual travel insurance for Europe or Worldwide cover at a discount rate. Winter Sports and Volcanic Eruptions included.
• Cycle to work scheme - Cycle2Work is an employee benefit aimed at encouraging you to cycle to work. Cycle2Work from Halfords Group can provide you with a bicycle and commuting equipment such as lights, locks and panniers so that you can cycle to work and for leisure purposes.
• Car benefit scheme - The Car Benefit Scheme, provided by Tusker, is a great added benefit of your employment. For a fixed monthly amount, you get to drive a brand new car of your choice fully maintained and insured meaning you just add the fuel.
• Gourmet Society – the opportunity to buy up to 4 cards that enable you (or close family and friends) to have up to 50% of meals out at selected restaurants or up to 40% off cinema tickets.
• Group Personal Pension Plan (GPP) – Pensions are one of the most important and valuable benefits available to you; all new employees are automatically enrolled into the QinetiQ GPP plan.

And much, much more…

Security notice

Please be aware that this role is subject to both security & export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that you must have the right to stay and work within the UK. Restrictions may also mean that any dual or previous nationalities held can affect the roles in which you can perform within QinetiQ.

We unfortunately do not sponsor visas or visa applications for our Early Careers programmes.

Why join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

You’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experience enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in an diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture here.

Joining QinetiQ offers you an opportunity to work on a broad range of interesting defence-based projects with vast career progression across a global organisation in addition to competitive personal and professional benefits.  You’ll receive a highly competitive salary and benefits package: our basic salaries are very attractive as we constantly review what’s happening in the market. The range of benefits that we offer include, adaptive and flexible working, generous holiday entitlements, Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance and much more.

About QinetiQ

As a company of over 6,000 dedicated professionals, we are a world-centre of excellence in research and development and act as a catalyst for fast-track innovation, offering outstanding experimentation facilities, and technical, engineering and scientific expertise. QinetiQ is made up of dedicated experts in defence, aerospace, security and related markets, all working together to explore new ways of protecting what matters most. Being part of QinetiQ means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help to save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend. Come and find out how you can play a role.

Please note that many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting. Applicants that already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment, subject to approval. A number of roles are also subject to restrictions on access to information that mean factors such as nationality, previous nationalities held and the country in which you were born may have an effect on the roles that you can be employed in.