Lead Engineer – Laser Systems

Darwin Recruitment; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Lead Photonics Systems Engineer to architect ultra-stable laser systems for a cutting-edge quantum photonics platform. You will balance systems leadership with hands‑on lab work, guiding prototypes from R&D to scalable production.

The role requires deep expertise in photonics, lasers, and high‑power optical systems, with a track record in stabilization, RF engineering, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in high‑performance photonics, lasers or complex optical systems.
• Deep expertise in semiconductor lasers and optical amplification.
• Experience with high‑power optical systems and stability/noise control.
• Strong knowledge of laser frequency stabilization and RF/microwave engineering.
• Proven track record taking optical systems through NPI and production readiness.

Responsibilities

• Own architecture and roadmap for laser and photonic subsystems.
• Lead hands‑on experimental development and validation.
• Develop and integrate laser stabilisation and control systems.
• Define DfM/DfT/DfR strategies for scaled production.
• Lead make‑versus‑buy decisions and manage vendors/suppliers.
• Collaborate with electronics, firmware, mechanical, and systems teams for integration.
• Develop vendor and supply‑chain strategies with RFQs and specs.
• Identify and mitigate technical and programme risks.

Skills

Photonics systems

Semiconductor lasers

Optical amplification

Electro-optic modulators

High-power optics

Laser frequency stabilisation

RF/microwave engineering

Pulsed optics

NPI and vendor management

Data-driven engineering

Job description

Lead Engineer – Laser Systems

About the Opportunity

Join an ambitious deep-tech company developing next‑generation photonic quantum computing technology. This is an opportunity to work on highly complex technology at the intersection of lasers, photonics, integrated optics and quantum systems.

The Role

We are seeking a Lead Photonics Systems Engineer to architect and develop ultra‑stable, low‑noise laser systems for an advanced photonic computing platform. You will combine systems‑level technical leadership with hands‑on experimental work, helping define the technology roadmap and transition cutting‑edge prototypes into scalable, industrial‑grade solutions.

You will work with state‑of‑the‑art optics laboratories, custom photonic devices and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the technical architecture and roadmap for complex laser and photonic subsystems, including requirements definition, component specification, test strategy and technical documentation.
• Lead hands‑on experimental development and validation, solving critical technical challenges and coordinating research and engineering activities.
• Develop and integrate laser stabilisation, control systems, locking electronics and feedback loops to meet demanding noise and stability requirements.
• Define strategies for Design for Manufacturability, Test and Reliability (DfM/DfT/DfR), supporting the transition from R&D prototypes to scalable production.
• Lead make‑versus‑buy decisions and develop workflows for introducing externally manufactured components.
• Work closely with electronics, firmware, mechanical and systems teams to define interfaces and support seamless subsystem integration.
• Develop vendor and supply‑chain strategies, including RFQs, technical specifications, validation plans and supplier relationships.
• Identify and manage technical and programme risks, reducing single points of failure across the R&D roadmap.

Required Experience

• 10+ years’ experience in high‑performance photonics, lasers or complex optical systems.
• Deep expertise in semiconductor lasers, optical amplification and electro‑optic modulators.
• Experience managing high‑power optical systems, thermal challenges and demanding noise/stability requirements, including RIN and phase noise.
• Strong knowledge of laser frequency stabilisation, high‑bandwidth feedback/control systems and RF/microwave engineering.
• Experience with pulsed optical systems.
• Proven experience making build‑versus‑buy decisions and managing technical vendors and suppliers for custom photonic components.
• Experience with photonic integrated circuit testing and scaling photonic technologies.
• Strong track record taking complex optical systems through New Product Introduction (NPI), experimental validation and troubleshooting.
• Experience applying data‑driven engineering approaches and Design for Manufacturability principles.