Laser Development Engineer

JR United Kingdom; Derby; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 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. The successful candidate will engage in the entire product lifecycle, conducting feasibility studies and developing advanced laser systems. This role offers a collaborative environment with access to global experts and cutting-edge technology.

Qualifications

• PhD in laser technology or equivalent experience required.
• Understanding of principles of optics and lasers essential.
• Ability to create and optimize laser systems in a manufacturing context.

Responsibilities

• Conduct technical feasibility studies on ultrashort pulsed fiber lasers.
• Develop prototypes and troubleshoot performance issues.
• Collaborate with engineering teams on laser system design.

Skills

Optics and lasers

Troubleshooting laser performance

Technical writing

Collaboration

Programming in Python

Education

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

Tools

Optical modelling software (Zemax)

Test equipment (power meters, oscilloscopes)

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.