Laboratory Operations Lead & Laser Safety Officer (opens in a new tab)

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); Sur place; USD 135 000 - 180 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

20 PTO days per year

13 company holidays

9/80 work schedule

Résumé du poste

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Laboratory Operations Lead & Laser Safety Officer to build and scale lab operations for laser light engines used in quantum computers. You will own safety programs, cleanroom processes, and regulatory compliance while collaborating with leadership and engineering on new experiments and configurations.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in cleanrooms/labs, LSO training, and a background in optics or quantum hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related technical discipline with 3+ years of hands-on cleanroom/optics lab ops experience.
• Formal Laser Safety Officer (LSO) training from a recognized provider (e.g., ANSI Z136).
• 5+ years in operational cleanroom and lab safety in optics/quantum computing environments (preferred).

Responsabilités

• Maintain uninterrupted supply of cleanroom consumables, PPE, and safety inventory across all cleanrooms.
• Enforce cleanroom protocols, gowning discipline, and contamination control standards.
• Coordinate environmental monitoring to maintain cleanroom classification.
• Schedule and manage cleaning services with external vendors.
• Handle hazardous chemicals, label inventory, SDS records, sharps, and waste per Cal/OSHA and DTSC.
• Interface with engineering to adapt lab layouts for new work scopes.
• Serve as Laser Safety Officer (LSO) and manage laser safety programs for Class 3B/4 systems.
• Install and audit optical safety infrastructure including interlocks, barriers, beam dumps, eyewear, signage.
• Develop and deliver laser safety and hazardous materials training for personnel, contractors, and visitors.
• Drive OEM laser regulatory compliance (FDA/CDRH, IEC 60825-1) for products.
• Maintain documentation for safety protocols, hazard evaluations, logs, and filings.

Connaissances

ISO 14644

ANSI Z136

FDA/CDRH 21 CFR 1040

Cal/OSHA

Hazardous waste management

Vendor management

Cross-functional teamwork

Formation

Bachelor’s degree or related technical discipline

Outils

Airborne particle counters

Description du poste

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.