Chief Laser Engineer, Electro-Optics

Gooch & Housego PLC; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Gooch & Housego PLC in the United States, Ohio, Cleveland seeks a Chief Laser Engineer, Electro-Optics (EO) to lead design and development of EO components and SHG modules for demanding aerospace, defense, and life sciences applications.

You will own the EO technology roadmap, mentor engineering teams, and drive product lifecycle from concept to performance verification, ensuring manufacturability and scalable solutions for global markets.

Qualifications

• Master's degree level in Physics, Engineering or equivalent.
• Hands-on laboratory experience in developing and testing photonic devices.
• Experience in simulating and modelling in optics.
• Meticulousness, Diligence, Disciplined and capacity to work to deadlines and goals.
• Passion to solving complex technical problems.
• Inclination to adapt, absorb and conduct substantial change.
• Comfortable interacting at all levels in an organization and with customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver R&D and product development projects with full understanding of product performance, material implications and design for manufacture.
• Design, develop and validate new and variant EO devices and SHG modules.
• Own, drive and manage our technology roadmap on Electro-Optics to intercept new opportunities and achieve profitable revenue growth.
• Lead engineering reviews and significantly contribute to product lifecycle planning.
• Discover, inspire and nurture innovation.
• Identify and report on trends of new technology or new applications of our existing technology that could lead to business growth.
• Lead and/or chair New Product Development gate reviews that illustrate the physical design implementation, identifying and mitigating risks between mechanical, optical, hardware, manufacturing, and supply chain interfaces.
• Assess and challenge the design work, quality of output and skillset levels on an ongoing basis.
• Identify potential competing technologies and generate risk mitigation strategies.
• Maintain, extend and safeguard our enabling technologies on Electro-Optics.
• Expand team skill-set and create new technical capabilities within the team.
• Push for Intellectual Property generation through the creation of new Know-How and patents.
• Identify new technologies and validate relevance for G&H to create a pipeline of new products.
• Work with Sales and Business Development to support RFQ/RFIs with technical solutions.
• Push for seamless handover from design to production.
• Participate in customer meetings and support marketing with technical material.
• Support talent management, development & succession planning activities.

Skills

Lab experience

Optics modelling

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Physics or Engineering

Tools

Solidworks

Zemax

ANSYS

Job description

Description

ABOUT US

Join a Global Photonics Leader Engineering Solutions from the Deep Ocean to Outer Space!

G&H is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of advanced photonic technologies. As experts in the technology of light, we partner with customers to deliver optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications across aerospace and defense, life sciences, industrial, and other high-performance markets.

With operations across the United States and Europe, G&H brings together deep technical expertise, precision manufacturing, and more than 75 years of innovation. Our success is built on the capability of our people and our ability to translate complex customer requirements into high-quality, reliable solutions.

As we continue to grow and evolve, we are investing in the people, leadership, and organizational capabilities required to scale our operations and support our customers.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Chief Laser Engineer, Electro-Optics (EO) drives the design and development of innovative components and sub-systems based on electro-optics and non-linear optics from design, build, concept verification to performance test. They are the global technology and subject matter expert on linear and non-linear optical device technology and its application on laser systems for A&D, Life Science and Industrial applications. The Chief Laser Engineer, EO generates, owns and drives our technology/science roadmap. As the ultimate custodian of our technical knowledge and expertise in EO, she/he guides and mentors the team and ensures our knowledge is not only maintained but expanded and adapted, so we can respond to technology advancements and trends in the sector.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and deliver R&D and product development projects with full understanding of product performance, material implications and design for manufacture
• Design, develop and validate new and variant EO devices and SHG modules
• Own, drive and manage our technology roadmap on Electro-Optics in order to intercept new opportunities and achieve profitable revenue growth
• Lead engineering reviews and significantly contribute to product lifecycle planning
• Discover, inspire and nurture innovation
• Identify and report on trends of new technology or new applications of our existing technology that could lead to business growth
• Lead and/or chair New Product Development gate reviews that illustrate the physical design implementation, identifying and mitigating risks between mechanical, optical, hardware, manufacturing, and supply chain interfaces
• Assess and challenge the design work, quality of output and skillset levels on an ongoing basis
• Identify potential competing technologies and generate risk mitigation strategies
• Maintain, extend and safeguard our enabling technologies on Electro-Optics
• Expand team skill-set and create new technical capabilities within the team
• Push for Intellectual Property generation through the creation of new Know-How and patents
• Identify new technologies and validate relevance for G&H to create a pipeline of new products
• Work with Sales and Business Development to support RFQ/RFIs with technical solutions
• Push for seamless handover from design to production
• Participate in customer meetings and support marketing with technical material
• Support talent management, development & succession planning activities

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Educated to at least Master's degree level in Physics, Engineering or equivalent
• Hands-on laboratory experience in developing and testing photonic devices
• Experience in simulating and modelling in optics
• Meticulousness, Diligence, Disciplined and capacity to work to deadlines and goals
• Passion to solving complex technical problems
• Inclination to adapt, absorb and conduct substantial change
• Comfortable interacting at all levels in an organization and with customers

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Specialization in Electro-Optics, Non-Linear Optics and/or material science
• Experienced with Solidworks, Zemax and/or ANSYS
• Understanding of assembly, integration and testing of optical devices
• Familiar with testing and qualification standards

COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• Problem Solving
• Innovative & Creative
• Decision-making
• Motivating others
• Strategic outlook
• Drive & Determination

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• On-time delivery of technical milestones
• Revenue from new products
• Adherence to R&D cost/budget
• Generation of roadmaps & technology trend reports
• Generation of technical blogs and/or papers
• Demonstrable contribution to winning and delivering on the technical aspects of profitable new business

Notes:

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.

The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.

Please note that this position will involve having access to items and technical data that may be controlled under U.S. export laws and regulations ("U.S. Export Control Laws"), including but not limited to the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR") and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR"). To comply with the U.S. Export Control Laws, and in conjunction with the review of candidates for those positions within G&H that may present access to export-controlled technical data, G&H must assess whether candidates are "U.S. persons" as defined under the EAR (15 C.F.R. Part 772) and the ITAR (22 C.F.R. § 120.15). Certain questions asked during the application process are intended to assess this and will be used for compliance purposes only.