Senior Laser Project Engineer

About the role

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Job Description

• Function independently with minimal direction, taking significant responsibility and using advanced knowledge and judgment to establish objectives, prioritize parallel tasks, allocate resources, and collaborate in the development of innovative methods/technology to guide the completion of projects and contribute to the development of organizational goals.
• Design, model, and evaluate laser systems and components, including laser amplifiers, laser diodes, pump shaping using micro-optics, laser energetics, amplified spontaneous emission, thermal effects, and depolarization.
• Perform offline assembly of laser components; measure, characterize, and analyze performance using laser diagnostics; design and build experimental tests to validate optical amplifiers, polarization components, mirrors, lenses, laser assemblies, and related hardware while supporting quality assurance, troubleshooting, and system performance improvement.
• Provide technical direction within assigned technical teams to define, develop, and deliver critical systems and components while ensuring alignment with project schedules and budgets.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and oversee execution throughout the project lifecycle.
• Train, mentor, and coach team members, assisting in fostering professional growth and technical excellence.
• Prepare, deliver, and explain written and verbal presentations of technical work to stakeholders, including providing advice to management.
• Maintain and ensure quality standards for all deliverables and leverage team skills to successfully complete complex projects.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering or a relevant technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of free-space and fiber laser architectures, amplifier design, laser diode pump techniques, ASE mitigation, thermal management, and depolarization compensation in high-power laser systems.
• Advanced understanding of laser cavity physics including resonator stability, mode discrimination, thermal lensing, gain saturation, and nonlinear effects (B-integral, SRS, SHG); able to apply these principles to diagnose system-level performance limitations and drive design improvements.
• Proven ability to independently develop and execute physics-based models of laser systems, including gain extraction (Frantz-Nodvik), beam propagation, wavefront aberration, and stray light analysis using tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, FRED, or equivalent.
• Strong analytical background in laser beam quality characterization (M², BPP, Strehl ratio, near- and far-field diagnostics) with the ability to correlate measurement results to system design parameters and recommend corrective action.
• Experience developing or implementing signal processing and data acquisition chains for pulsed laser diagnostics, including timing, triggering, noise budget analysis, and SNR optimization.
• Significant hands-on experience leading the assembly, alignment, and integration of laser systems and diagnostic subsystems in laboratory and field environments, with demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot component and system-level failures.
• Advanced knowledge and significant experience in project planning and technical leadership.
• Expert level experience in the application and development of technical industry best practices in an innovative and creative fashion.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters or PhD in physics, engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience in leading complex engineering projects.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and deliver innovative solutions, including expertise in systems engineering, precision design, or advanced manufacturing techniques.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a track record of building effective collaborations across internal teams, sponsors, and industry partners.

Pay Range

$175,530 - $267,060 Annually
$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level
$210,630 - $267,060 Annually for the SES.4 level

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

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