Fiber Laser Technician

Star Catcher; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Star Catcher Industries, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL is seeking a Fiber Laser Technician to support the development of space-to-space power beaming spacecraft and the Star Catcher Network.

The role involves preparing, cleaving, and fusion-splicing optical fibers for high-power lasers, building laser assemblies, and maintaining splicers and recoaters. A strong background in photonics and laser safety is essential.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on fiber optic assembly experience including fusion splicing.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cleave, and fusion-splice optical fibers for high-power fiber lasers and amplifiers.
• Measure splice quality and recoat splices as needed.
• Build fiber laser and amplifier assemblies with proper routing and components.
• Inspect and clean fiber end faces, connectors, and end caps.
• Support testing of fiber laser assemblies under laser-safety rules.

Skills

Fiber optic assembly

Fusion splicing

Class 4 laser safety

Education

Associate's degree or certificate in Photonics

Tools

Vytran splicer

Fujikura FSM

arc splicer

Job description

Power the future of Space at Star Catcher

Star Catcher is building the first energy grid in space to power the orbital economy.

Today’s spacecraft must generate all of their own power, which caps what they can do and how long they can operate. But what if they could “plug” into a grid, the way buildings do on Earth? Instead of cables and outlets, Star Catcher is building the technology to wirelessly beam energy to spacecraft’s existing solar panels when and where they need it. Be an early member of a team building an entirely new energy infrastructure at scale to power the next frontier.

Star Catcher Industries, Inc., located in Jacksonville, Florida, has an opportunity for a Fiber Laser Technician to support the development of space-to-space power beaming spacecraft and the Star Catcher Network, its orbital power grid.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, cleave, and fusion-splice optical fibers for high‑power fiber lasers and amplifiers, including large‑mode‑area, polarization‑maintaining, double‑clad, and rare‑earth‑doped fibers.
• Measure splice quality (loss, polarization extinction ratio where applicable) and recoat or protect splices with the correct low‑index or high‑index recoat.
• Build fiber laser and amplifier assemblies: fiber routing on cold plates, strain relief and bend‑radius control, and integration of pump combiners, isolators, cladding light strippers, and end caps.
• Inspect and clean fiber end faces, connectors, and end caps to procedure.
• Support testing of fiber laser assemblies (power, spectrum, beam quality, thermal imaging) under Class 4 laser‑safety rules.
• Maintain splicers, cleavers, and recoaters (calibration, electrode care, programs) and keep build travelers and records.
• Work under the direction of the laser engineers and help develop work instructions.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands‑on fiber optic assembly experience, including fusion splicing.

Ideal Experience

• Associate's degree or certificate in Photonics, Laser/Electro-Optics Technology, or a related field.
• Splicing of large‑mode‑area, polarization‑maintaining, and double‑clad fibers on filament or arc splicers (e.g., Vytran/Fujikura LDS/LZM, Fujikura FSM, or equivalent).
• Experience building or supporting high‑power fiber lasers or amplifiers.
• Experience working under a Class 4 laser safety program and in a cleanroom.

Desired Skills

• Careful, methodical approach to delicate fiber assemblies.
• Build documentation, travelers, and traceability.
• Comfort with optical power meters, optical spectrum analyzers, and polarization measurement.
• Willingness to develop and improve splice programs and work instructions.

Help us deploy and scale space infrastructure that will drive our utilization of space forward! We offer a highly competitive benefits package including access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, and paid parental leave, in addition to other benefits.

Star Catcher is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Star Catcher is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

All offers of employment at Star Catcher are contingent upon results of a thorough background check and your ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the US.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.