Principal Laser Engineer

About the role

Serve as a technical expert for the optical design of fiber-based and free space lasers. Execute experiments to test conceptual designs and to document optical system performance. Use software computational tools to aid in the design and analysis of optical system performance. Work with mechanical and electrical engineers to assist in evaluating and documenting opto-mechanical and electro-optical specifications. Define test strategies, build, test and document system prototypes: measure optical and opto-electronic parameters and evaluate results, create test reports and generate design documentation including optical diagrams, drawings, and optical components specifications. Work with optical component vendors for component procurement, and to complete performance and reliability evaluation. Guide and train technicians on newly developed processes and optical measurement techniques.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical expert for the optical design of fiber-based and free space lasers.
• Execute experiments to test conceptual designs and to document optical system performance.
• Use software computational tools to aid in the design and analysis of optical system performance.
• Work with mechanical and electrical engineers to assist in evaluating and documenting opto-mechanical and electro-optical specifications.
• Define test strategies, build, test and document system prototypes: measure optical and opto-electronic parameters and evaluate results, create test reports and generate design documentation including optical diagrams, drawings, and optical components specifications.
• Work with optical component vendors for component procurement, and to complete performance and reliability evaluation.
• Guide and train technicians on newly developed processes and optical measurement techniques.

Requirements

• MS degree in Engineering, Physics, Material Science, Chemistry, or a related field required and 5+ years industry experience or PhD and 2+ years industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with passive and active fibers and fiber-optics components, including fiber preparation and splicing and components characterization.
• In-depth knowledge of various fiber types, their advantages and disadvantages, and typical use.
• Experience in making proper fiber and fiber component selection for different applications.
• Hands-on experience in free-space beam and optical cavity alignment.
• Familiar with optical non-linear processes (SHG, SPM, SBS, Raman etc.).
• Familiar with sub-picosecond pulse generation, measurement and characterization.
• Proven ability to independently define opto-electronic measurement procedures, set up and perform the measurements, evaluate the results and clearly communicate the conclusions to peer engineers and management.
• Proven experience with optical measurement instruments: beam parameters analyzers, power meters, auto-correlators, fast opto-electronics, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers and spectrometers, scanning interferometers.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in troubleshooting and failure analysis of optical modules and systems.
• Experience with high power pulsed fiber laser design and testing.
• Experience with harmonic generation and nonlinear crystals (SHG, THG, SFG).
• Experience with external-cavity tunable diode lasers.
• Hands-on experience with ultra-fast laser development and relevant technologies (mode-locking, CPA, etc.) and characterization (auto-correlator/FROG).
• Proven ability to model basic harmonic generation processes using SNLO, Matlab and/or other suitable software tools.
• Familiarity with ray-tracing analysis software (ZEMAX, FRED and/or others).
• Experience with automated measurement and control methods (Python).

Skills

• Hands-on experience with passive and active fibers and fiber-optics components, including fiber preparation and splicing and components characterization.
• In-depth knowledge of various fiber types, their advantages and disadvantages, and typical use.
• Experience in making proper fiber and fiber component selection for different applications.
• Hands-on experience in free-space beam and optical cavity alignment.
• Familiar with optical non-linear processes (SHG, SPM, SBS, Raman etc.).
• Familiar with sub-picosecond pulse generation, measurement and characterization.
• Proven ability to independently define opto-electronic measurement procedures, set up and perform the measurements, evaluate the results and clearly communicate the conclusions to peer engineers and management.
• Proven experience with optical measurement instruments: beam parameters analyzers, power meters, auto-correlators, fast opto-electronics, oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers and spectrometers, scanning interferometers.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision).
• 401(k) with company match.
• Life and disability insurance.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Sick time.
• 15 paid vacation days.
• [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave.
• Adoption assistance.
• Tuition reimbursement.

Pay

Pay Range: $139,000 to $231,000 per year.

Schedule

N/A