Laser Engineer: Front-End Optics & Experiments

Focused Energy; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental, vision plans

Unlimited PTO

401k with 4% match

Competitive salary

Job summary

Focused Energy is building a Focused Energy Lasers Austin (FELA) facility in Austin, TX, and this role exists to make that build happen at the bench level.

As a Laser Engineer, you'll own the hands-on execution of core laser experiments, such as setting up a laser front end, achieving two-dimensional SSD (smoothing by spectral dispersion), frequency tripling, FM-AM, and large-scale solid-state amplifier characterization experiments.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with fiber and free-space laser systems and nonlinear optics.
• Strong ability to characterize laser beams and diagnose optical setups.
• Proven habit of meticulous lab notebook documentation and data recording.
• Comfort working independently at bench level and escalating blockers when needed.

Responsibilities

• Set up, align, and execute assigned FELA laser experiments (front end, 2D SSD, frequency tripling, FM-AM, amplifier characterization).
• Lead bench-level troubleshooting and ensure experiments run on schedule.
• Maintain safety and lab records in a Class 3B/4 laser environment.
• Document equipment status, alignment logs, and experimental data.
• Iterate setups and procedures based on hands-on results and refinements.
• Collaborate with laser scientists on joint sessions to advance progress.
• Scale the experimental program by building repeatable, documented setups.

Skills

Fiber laser systems

Free-space laser systems

Nonlinear optics

Beam characterization

Optical alignment

Lab notebook & data documentation

Tools

Miro

Zemax

Inventor

Job description

Focused Energy is building a Focused Energy Lasers Austin (FELA) facility in Austin, TX, and this role exists to make that build happen at the bench level.

As a Laser Engineer, you'll own the hands-on execution of core laser experiments, such as setting up a laser front end, achieving two-dimensional SSD (smoothing by spectral dispersion), frequency tripling, FM-AM, and large-scale solid-state amplifier characterization experiments.