Senior Laser Systems Engineer - Ground Station Optics

Foundational; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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Annual leave

Parental leave

Cycle to work

London offices

Job summary

Foundational is building the most precise picture of Earth and orbit from ground-based lasers. The Senior Optical Engineer will own the laser subsystem in our stations, oversee integration, cooling, power and safety interlocks, and work with suppliers to meet specifications.

You will characterise performance and drive reliability for remote sites. You will also contribute to safety documentation, collaboration across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics teams, and help expand our

Qualifications

• Experience with short-pulse solid-state or fibre lasers in industry or research
• Beam characterization skills: M², pulse width, energy and pointing stability
• Laser safety knowledge (IEC 60825 or equivalent)
• Confidence working with suppliers on specifications and failure investigations

Responsibilities

• Specify, select and qualify pulsed laser sources with suppliers
• Integrate lasers into the station, including beam delivery, cooling, power, control and safety interlocks
• Characterise laser performance, and build test rigs to track it over the station's life
• Improve reliability so lasers run unattended at remote sites
• Manage laser damage risk across the optical train with the optics team
• Support laser safety cases and documentation for each site

Skills

Short-pulse lasers

Fibre lasers

Beam characterization

Supplier management

Safety interlocks

Laser safety

Tools

Beam delivery hardware

Job description

Foundational is building the most precise picture of Earth and orbit from ground-based lasers. The Senior Optical Engineer will own the laser subsystem in our stations, oversee integration, cooling, power and safety interlocks, and work with suppliers to meet specifications.

You will characterise performance and drive reliability for remote sites. You will also contribute to safety documentation, collaboration across optics, lasers, software and astrodynamics teams, and help expand our