Laser Safety & Lab Operations Lead — Quantum Hardware

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) with employer match

20 PTO days per year

13 company holidays

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

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).

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

ISO 14644

ANSI Z136

FDA/CDRH 21 CFR 1040

Cal/OSHA

Hazardous waste management

Vendor management

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree or related technical discipline

Tools

Airborne particle counters

Job description

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.