ATLAS Facility Optical/Electrical Engineer

Colorado State University; United States; On-site; USD 72,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University is constructing a new laser facility, ATLAS, as part of ALEPH. The Facility Optical/Electrical Engineer will apply optics, beam diagnostics, and short-pulse laser techniques to implement, commission, and operate upgraded lasers and develop pulse broadening/compression methods.

The role involves meeting milestones, collaborating with ECE personnel and graduate researchers, and contributing to high-power laser research efforts in a dynamic campus environment.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering or Physics.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in optical metrology and ultrashot pulse lasers.

Responsibilities

• Research: Design, test, and optimize laser subsystems, coatings, and beam diagnostics.
• Maintain and service optical beam diagnostics and short-pulse lasers for upgraded laser operation.
• Develop pulse broadening and compression techniques.
• Design, implement, and calibrate optical diagnostic instrumentation including FROG, autocorrelators, spectrometers, interferometers.
• Participate in project meetings and collaborate with external partners.
• Coordinate with ATLAS personnel including faculty and students.

Skills

Optical metrology

Ultrafast lasers

Optical beam diagnostics

Education

MS/PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering or Physics

Tools

FROG

Autocorrelators

Spectrometers

Interferometers

Job description

Facility Optical/Electrical Engineer

The Facility Optical/Electrical Engineer is a dedicated engineer who will use their experience in optics, optical beam diagnostics, and short pulse lasers to work on the implementation, commissioning, and operation of an upgraded version of our current lasers. The work will also include the development of pulse broadening and compression techniques. The engineer must have strong experience in optical diagnostics and in the implementation of optical metrology.

Full Consideration Date: Monday, October 19, 2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Description of Work Unit: Colorado State University is constructing a new laser facility, ATLAS, to be part of the Advanced Lasers for Extreme Photonics Center (ALEPH). The facility located at Colorado State University Foothills campus has the goal to advance science and technology, and to support laser fusion. The Advanced Center for Extreme Photonics Center exists within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). ECE has 25 faculty members, 350 undergraduates, and 250 graduate students. More information can be found at lasers.colostate.edu and www.engr.colostate.edu. Colorado State University is located in Fort Collins at the foothills of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. The city is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States.

Essential Job Duties

• Research: Support the design, testing, and optimization of laser subsystems, vacuum systems, and multilayer optical coatings for high-power laser application.
• Maintain, construct, service optical beam diagnostics, and short pulse lasers to work on the implementation, commissioning, and operation of an upgraded version of current lasers.
• Develop pulse broadening and compression techniques.
• Design, implement, and calibrate optical diagnostic instrumentation including FROG, autocorrelators, spectrometers, interferometers, and their implementation.
• Reporting and Proposal Writing: Actively participate in project report meetings within the research group and with external collaborators.
• Maintain close interaction with ATLAS personnel including faculty, research scientists, post docs, and graduate assistants.
• Other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires).

Supervision: No direct reports, but helps supervise Graduate students or post docs and student employees.

Minimum Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering or Physics.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in optical metrology and ultrashot pulse lasers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with optical diagnostic instrumentation including FROG, autocorrelators, specrometers, interferometes, and their implementation.
• Experience with ultrafast lasers including oscillators, regenerative amplifiers and diode pumped solid state amplifiers.
• Experience with laser damage threshold of multilayer coatings.
• Experience with vacuum systems.
• Experience with laser spectral broadening and post compression.
• Commitment to meet milestones on time.

Salary Range 72000-78000

Colorado State University

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact. Review our detailed benefits information here. Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here. For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

EEO Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Inspired by its land-grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.