Full-Stack Web Developer

About us At Wave Photonics, we are building a platform to enable and accelerate the development, mass production and adoption of integrated photonics technologies. Integrated photonics will be crucial in enabling a host of applications ranging from energy-efficient communications, wearable healthcare sensors, rapid diagnostic tools, optical tensor processors, on-chip LiDAR, quantum computing and communication, and many more. We believe that many obstacles in developing these technologies can be removed using a combination of simulation, statistical modelling and optimisation techniques. Founded in 2021, we have backing from great investors in Silicon Valley, the UK, and the EU, and are leading/contributing to multiple projects funded by the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK. We were also successful in winning a prestigious European Innovation Council Accelerator project to develop solutions for frontier applications of integrated photonics. We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic Full-Stack Web Developer to join our team and contribute to our aim of accelerating the growth and adoption of integrated photonics technologies. Role overview We are looking for a proactive Software Engineer with a strong sense of ownership to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for designing, building, and maintaining APIs and platform features across our backend and frontend systems. You will work primarily with Python-based services while also contributing to a modern JavaScript frontend, ensuring seamless integration between systems and external services. You will take full responsibility for features from concept to production. This includes analysing requirements, proposing solutions through structured documentation (RFCs), implementing functionality, and validating it through testing and team demos. The role requires someone who is comfortable working across the full development lifecycle and collaborating with cross-functional teams. As part of a small, highly collaborative engineering team, you will be expected to take initiative, work independently when needed, and actively contribute ideas. A proactive mindset and the ability to self-manage and drive work forward are essential to success in this role. As part of a growing architecture, you will also contribute to shaping the future of our systems. Your input will be valuable in improving performance, scalability, and overall system design.

Desired Skills & Experience We are looking for a candidate with at least 4 years of experience in software development, with a strong focus on Python and API development. You should have hands-on experience with frameworks such as Flask and SQLAlchemy, and be comfortable learning or working with alternatives like FastAPI. A solid understanding of SQL and NoSQL databases is essential, particularly in writing efficient queries and identifying performance issues. On the frontend side, experience with JavaScript frameworks is important. While we use SolidJS, familiarity with React, Angular, or similar frameworks is sufficient. You should also be comfortable working with modern UI tools such as Tailwind CSS and component libraries. Given the small size of the engineering team, you will work closely with an existing full-stack engineer who contributes across frontend, backend, infrastructure, and product decisions. We are looking for someone who can complement this breadth, with a particular emphasis on strengthening our frontend and user experience. Experience or interest in UX, UI consistency, and building intuitive interfaces will be highly valuable. You should be comfortable working with evolving or sometimes ambiguous requirements, helping to refine them and turning them into clear, maintainable solutions. A proactive approach to identifying gaps, suggesting improvements, and aligning technical implementation with product goals is essential. Nice to Have /Beneficial Experience with microservices architecture and distributed systems is highly beneficial, especially if you have contributed to designing. Familiarity with Kubernetes and cloud platforms such as AWS or Digital Ocean would also be valuable, particularly in understanding deployment strategies and infrastructure. An interest in testing practices and improving quality standards is a plus. Experience with tools like Playwright for end-to-end testing, as well as a proactive approach to manual and integration testing, will help strengthen our development processes. Finally, any exposure to UX/design principles or experience collaborating on product improvements is a bonus. We value engineers who not only implement solutions but also contribute ideas, identify improvements, and actively participate in technical discussions and code reviews. If you are as excited as we are about the world-changing technologies that will be enabled by integrated photonics and you want to play a key part in it, then please get in touch!

Salary and compensation £40k - £60k pa., depending on experience. Company share options plan. Enhanced annual leave (25 days + bank holidays). In-person working with flexible working options available where possible. Work environment At Wave Photonics we see a brighter future. We strive towards that goal not only in the technology we develop, but as a dedicated and welcoming team who are passionate about working together to make it happen. We see the huge value in creating a team with people from all backgrounds and experiences. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are crucial, and we strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply. Our office in Cambridge serves as the dynamic hub where brilliant minds converge to redefine the future of integrated photonics. Nestled in one of the world's most renowned academic and technological cities, our workspace embodies the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and cutting-edge exploration. We strive to create an environment where open communication and cross-disciplinary thinking are not just encouraged but celebrated. How to apply Please upload a CV and optional covering letter by clicking the apply button. Any questions can also be directed to careers@wavephotonics.com – please include the tag “WP0626-SE” in the subject line. All applicants will be notified within 31 days of application. NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE.