Laboratory Operations Lead & Laser Safety Officer

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

PTO

Company holidays

9/80 schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum in San Diego is seeking a Laboratory Operations Lead & Laser Safety Officer to help build our lab operations and safety foundations from the ground up as we scale production of laser light engines for quantum computers.

This hands-on role requires coordinating cleanroom supplies, enforcing protocols, managing hazardous materials, and serving as LSO for Class 3B/4 lasers, with competitive benefits and an equal opportunity employer statement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related technical discipline with 3+ years of hands-on cleanroom or lab operations experience
• Formal Laser Safety Officer (LSO) training completed
• Preferred CLSO credential and 5+ years of lab safety in optics/quantum environments

Responsibilities

• Maintain cleanroom consumables and safety inventory across five cleanrooms
• Enforce cleanroom protocols, gowning, and contamination controls
• Coordinate environmental monitoring and logging to maintain standards
• Schedule cleaning services with external vendors
• Manage chemical handling, inventory, SDS records, and hazardous waste per Cal/OSHA
• Interface with engineering to adapt lab layouts for new work scopes
• Serve as Laser Safety Officer and administer laser safety program for Class 3B/4 systems
• Install and audit laser safety infrastructure and signage
• Deliver laser safety and hazardous materials training
• Drive FDA/CDRH (21 CFR 1040) and IEC 60825-1 compliance for laser products

Job description

Join our fast-paced, passionate team as Laboratory Operations Lead & Laser Safety Officer. As we scale production of laser light engines for quantum computers and integrate them into full quantum computer systems, you will help build our lab operations and safety foundations from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on individual contributor role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge quantum hardware, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement operational and safety practices that support our mission and growth.

Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Maintain an uninterrupted supply of cleanroom consumables, PPE, and safety/hygiene inventory across all 5 cleanrooms.
• Enforce, monitor, and police strict cleanroom operational protocols, gowning discipline, and contamination control standards.
• Coordinate, execute, and log routine airborne particle measurements and environmental monitoring to maintain cleanroom classification standards.
• Manage and schedule all routine light cleaning and deep-cleaning services with external facility cleaning vendors.
• Manage cradle-to-grave hazardous chemical handling, chemical inventory logging, SDS records, sharps handling, and hazardous waste disposal in strict accordance with Cal/OSHA and California DTSC standards.
• Actively interface with engineering and scientific staff to adapt laboratory layouts and provide operational support as new work scopes and experimental configurations emerge.
• Serve as Monarch Quantum’s Laser Safety Officer (LSO), administering the occupational laser safety program to prevent personnel injury during the assembly, alignment, and testing of Class 3B and Class 4 laser systems.
• Specify, install, and audit optical safety infrastructure, including interlocks, optical curtains/barriers, beam dumps, laser safety eyewear, and regulatory facility signage.
• Develop, deliver, and document laser safety and hazardous materials training for all technical personnel, contractors, and visitors.
• Drive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) laser regulatory compliance for commercial products, ensuring all manufactured laser light engines comply with FDA/CDRH (21 CFR 1040.10/1040.11) and international standards (IEC 60825-1) so customers can safely operate our quantum systems.
• Maintain clear and well-structured documentation for safety protocols, laser hazard evaluations (MPE, NOHD), cleanroom logs, and regulatory filing records.
• Work independently and in a team while over-communicating with the manager, project engineer, and teammates.
• Use tenacity, patience, self-discipline, and passion for excellence to assure accuracy of execution schedule, data quality/integrity, conformance to company best practices, clarity in communication, and documentation.
• Use every opportunity to grow competency through mentorship, curiosity, communication, exposure, and initiative.

• Please note: This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Health & Safety, Chemical/Materials Science, Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline with a minimum of 3+ years of direct hands-on experience running operations in cleanrooms, optics laboratories, or semiconductor/hardware production environments, or extensive experience in lieu of a college degree.
• Minimum: Formal Laser Safety Officer (LSO) training completed through a recognized provider (e.g., Laser Institute of America / ANSI Z136-compliant curriculum).
• Desired / Preferred: 5+ years of operational cleanroom and lab safety experience in a commercial optics, photonics, or quantum computing environment.
• Desired / Preferred: Active Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) credential issued by the Board of Laser Safety (BLS).

Skills:

• Practical operational knowledge of ISO 14644 cleanroom standards, airflow management, and airborne optical particle counters.
• Deep understanding of ANSI Z136.1 safe use of lasers, hazard calculations (Maximum Permissible Exposure, Nominal Hazard Zone), and optical beam safety.
• Working knowledge of FDA/CDRH accession reporting (21 CFR Part 1040) and IEC 60825-1 product safety requirements for laser-containing equipment.
• Hands-on proficiency with hazardous waste manifest management, chemical segregation, spill containment, and Cal/OSHA occupational compliance.
• Proven vendor management skills for specialized janitorial, hazardous waste disposal, and cleanroom supply chains.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and across multi-disciplinary engineering teams.

Startup Mindset:

• You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
• You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $135,000-$180,000 (commensuratewith experience).

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.