Laser Development Engineer

JR United Kingdom; Chester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider of innovative laser systems is seeking an experienced Laser Development Engineer for their R&D team in Chester. The successful candidate will work on advanced laser systems throughout the product lifecycle, conducting feasibility studies, building prototypes, and collaborating with global experts. An ideal background includes a PhD or equivalent experience, a deep understanding of optics, and practical skills in laser system development.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in a laser-based area or demonstrable experience.
• Ability to program in Python for data analysis.
• Experience in assembling and optimizing laser systems.

Responsibilities

• Conducting technical feasibility studies for pulsed fiber lasers.
• Troubleshooting laser performance issues.
• Collaborating with multi-disciplined engineering teams.

Skills

Understanding of optics and lasers

Practical ability in creating laser systems

Experience with optical and electrical test equipment

Knowledge of programming in Python

Education

PhD or equivalent in solid state or fiber laser-based area

Tools

Optical modelling software (e.g., Zemax)

Job description

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A leading provider of innovative laser systems to help people in various global markets, including but not limited to renewables, microelectronics, research, life science, automotive, and medicine.

We are seeking an experienced Laser Development Engineer to join the R&D team in developing advanced laser systems. In this role, you’ll be responsible for delivering project outputs and contributing to team and personal goals, while adapting to changing priorities and identifying critical needs.

You’ll be exposed to the entire product lifecycle, from feasibility studies to production handover, and will collaborate with colleagues across the organization, including access to global experts in laser and optical technologies and world-class manufacturing capabilities.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES.

• Conducting technical feasibility studies in the design of ultrashort pulsed fiber lasers and their use in laser systems.
• Building, assessing, and qualifying prototypes based on these feasibility studies.
• Troubleshooting laser performance issues.
• Providing detailed and technically thorough reports/presentations to the engineering team.
• Providing technical support to the laser manufacturing teams.
• Working within a multi-disciplined engineering team to design laser systems.
• Collaborating with local and international experts.
• Defining specifications and sourcing of laser parts and components.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• PhD or equivalent in a solid state or fiber laser-based area or demonstrable experience of working in a laser manufacturing or development environment.
• Understanding of the principles of optics and lasers.
• Demonstrable practical ability in the creation of breadboard laser systems or in assembling and optimizing laser systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Experienced in the use of test equipment, both optical (power meters, spectrometers, auto-correlators, etc.) and electrical (oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analysers, etc.).
• Experienced in the use of optical modelling software packages (for example, Zemax) and/or the development of optical models via custom code.
• General understanding of electronics and control systems.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Knowledge of ultrashort laser pulses, mode-locking techniques, optical nonlinearities, and dispersion is desirable.
• Ability to program in Python for data analysis and modelling systems.
• Knowledge of control systems and familiarity with circuit diagrams to debug complex system issues.
• Experience of working with SBRs (saturable Bragg reflectors) and aspects of their design and processing for use in ultra-fast laser systems.