Laser Engineer

About the role

The Laser Engineer supports National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser engineering, operations, and maintenance within the world's most advanced laser facility. Key responsibilities include running and maintaining advanced laser systems, leading projects to improve laser technology, and collaborating with scientists, engineers, and technicians.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and improve complex laser systems, including regenerative amplifiers, preamplifiers, laser diagnostics, wavefront control systems, and alignment and precision pulse timing.
• Perform bench tests to validate spare components and ensure quality assurance on new hardware.
• Collaborate with immediate supervisors, project leads, scientists, engineers, and technicians to complete various projects.
• Conduct laser performance analysis at a system level and present data to a peer review team with recommendations for enhancements.
• Provide occasional on-call, technical support for NIF 24/7 operations schedule.

Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Laser and Electro-Optics, Physics, Optical Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related technical field or equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with complex systems engineering relating to laser and electro-optical systems and experience using computer control and data acquisition systems.
• Advanced experience performing experiments and supporting full life cycle engineering needs for lasers, electro-optics, or mechanical technology in support of high energy laser systems, including theory, design, and application.
• Advanced experience working with various complex optical and electro-optical systems including telescopes, polarization, imaging, alignment, diagnostic measurements of both CW and pulsed lasers.
• Advanced experience effectively managing multiple tasks, projects, priorities and associated budgets & schedules.
• Possess the decision-making and analytical skills necessary to work under limited direction and anticipate, analyze, and provide solutions to complex technical problems, while adhering to well-defined practices and procedures.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Laser and Electro-Optics, Physics, Optical Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related technical field or an equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with complex systems engineering relating to laser and electro-optical systems and experience using computer control and data acquisition systems.
• Advanced experience performing experiments and supporting full life cycle engineering needs for lasers, electro-optics, or mechanical technology in support of high energy laser systems, including theory, design, and application.
• Advanced experience working with various complex optical and electro-optical systems including telescopes, polarization, imaging, alignment, diagnostic measurements of both CW and pulsed lasers.
• Advanced experience effectively managing multiple tasks, projects, priorities and associated budgets & schedules.
• Possess the decision-making and analytical skills necessary to work under limited direction and anticipate, analyze, and provide solutions to complex technical problems, while adhering to well-defined practices and procedures.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Skills

• Complex systems engineering
• Laser and electro-optical systems
• Computer control and data acquisition systems
• Experiments and engineering needs
• Optical and electro-optical systems
• Telescopes, polarization, imaging, alignment, diagnostic measurements
• Project management
• Technical communication

Benefits

NIF offers competitive benefits including:

• Health insurance
• Retirement savings plan
• Flexible work schedule
• Professional development opportunities

Pay

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually

Schedule

This is a full-time on-site position.