Optical R&D Engineer F/H

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Published on 08/07/2026

  • Contract type:  Permanent contract

  • Work time:  Full time

  • Location Rennes

The company

Founded in 2013, Cailabs designs, manufactures, and develops innovative photonic solutions for the space, industry, telecommunications, and defense sectors. A global specialist in laser shaping, the company has accelerated its growth in the space field with turnkey optical ground stations that integrate atmospheric turbulence compensation technology. This makes it one of the first companies to harness very high data rates enabled by optics in a commercial ground station.

Cailabs currently has more than 200 employees, including 41PhDs. With 29 patent families filed, the company is one of the most innovative companies in France. It is headquartered in Rennes, with offices in Paris and Washington (USA).

Post description

Founded in 2013, Cailabs designs, manufactures, and develops innovative photonic solutions for the space, industrial, telecommunications, and defense sectors. A global specialist in laser beam shaping, the company leverages a unique patented technology originating from leading scientific research laboratories.

In the field of optical ground stations, Cailabs develops systems enabling ultra-high-speed satellite-to-ground laser communications, with solutions specifically designed to operate despite atmospheric disturbances.

Joining Cailabs means contributing to cutting-edge technologies within a fast-growing and highly innovative company.

 

You will join a multidisciplinary R&D team composed of engineers with diverse backgrounds. You will be responsible for developing new solutions to ensure robust communication links through innovative atmospheric turbulence mitigation technologies.

As part of this team, you will help transform exploratory concepts into practical solutions: from technical analysis and proof-of-concept activities to prototype development and experimental validation, working closely with optical, mechanical, electronics, software, validation, and product development teams.

 

Main responsabilities 

 

Requirements Analysis and Technical Scoping

  • Analyze customer needs and translate them into actionable technical challenges.
  • Define technical evolutions associated with these needs for complex optical systems.

Research and Solution Exploration

  • Identify and assess existing solutions.
  • Investigate alternative approaches for implementing new functionalities.
  • Explore different technological options to improve system performance.

Design and Experimental Validation

  • Design prototypes and demonstrators.
  • Develop and conduct experimental validation campaigns for new optical architectures.

Product Development

  • Participate in all stages of product development through to production release.
  • Contribute to technical discussions with the teams involved in development (optics, mechanics, electronics, software, and validation).

Profile required

  • Master's degree or PhD in Optics or a related field.
  • Strong knowledge of theoretical and experimental optics.
  • Hands-on experience with laboratory work and optical experimental setups.
  • Knowledge of opto-mechanical systems.
  • Ability to process and analyze experimental data.
  • Ability to interface and operate measurement instruments and laboratory equipment.

Nice to have 

  • Experience in optical simulation.
  • Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, or equivalent tools.
  • Knowledge of Zemax.
  • Exposure to optical telecommunications.
  • Experience with laser systems or free-space optical communication systems.

Réf: a6979c13-a371-4f05-8134-a87acd075f46

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Optical R&D Engineer F/H

Permanent contract
Full time
Rennes

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