LEAD ENGINEER - PRINCIPAL ENGINEER - Laser Development Engineer - Boulder, CO

Southwest Research Institute; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 118,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, CO seeks an experienced engineer to design, build and test advanced laser-based instrumentation for space science applications. You will operate and align high-power laser systems and work with vacuum, cryogens, and HV components in a hands-on environment.

Requirements include a PhD/masters/BS in a related field with strong optics focus, 8+ years in optics modeling, and 7+ years in laser operation.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Quantum Engineering or other related engineering degree field with relevant focus on lasers. Advanced degrees will be considered in lieu of some years of related industry work experience.
• 8+ years: Optics modeling and development for laser systems. Experience with optical design software (ZEMAX or similar).
• 7+ years: Laser operation and engineering for one or more of the following: diode lasers, external cavity lasers, laser optical systems and components, laser spectrometers, laser diffraction and vis/NIR detectors.
• 3+ years: Design of laser systems to requirements, verification planning, and execution.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and test laser-based instrumentation with scientific personnel.
• Operate, maintain, and align high power lasers (diode fiber, YAG, OPO, TiS, fs-lasers).
• Work with ultra-high vacuum systems, pressurized gases, cryogens and HV systems.
• Lead the design, fabrication and validation of various optomechanical systems and interface with vendors.
• Perform experimental data collection in an optical lab environment.
• Maintain equipment including flash lamps, electronics repair, cooling systems, and LabVIEW-based laser control.

Skills

Optics modeling

Laser operation

High-power laser systems

Lab safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/ Optical Engineering or related field

Master's or PhD considered in lieu of experience

Tools

ZEMAX

LabVIEW

Job description

Who We Are:

As a recognized leader in space science research and spacecraft instrumentation, avionics, and electronics, we work to reveal the secrets of our solar system and the universe.

Objectives of this Role:

Participate in the research and development of experimental, laser-based, spaceflight instrumentation enabling scientific investigations across the Solar System.Contribute to the design, development, and hands-on fabrication, assembly, integration, and test of instrumentation systems from concept to flight instrument delivery.Support the division in cutting edge research involving pulsed lasers, mass spectrometry and high-speed data acquisition systems.Provide expert engineering for selection, operation, and maintenance of laser systems.Experience in laser safety for all wavelengths, lab safety, HV safety, chemical safety, and vacuum safety

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

Work with scientific personnel to design, build, and test laser-based instrumentation. This includes operating, maintaining, and aligning high power lasers including diode fiber lasers, YAG lasers, OPO lasers, TiS lasers, fs-lasers, and optical/laser design.Hands-on work with ultra-high vacuum systems, pressurized gases, cryogens and high-voltage systems.Lead the design, fabrication and performance validation of various optomechanical systems and interfacing with external vendors to procure instrumentation hardware, system sub-components and laboratory test equipment.Experimental data collection in an optical laboratory environment.Maintenance to include working with flash lamps, minor electronics repair, cooling system maintenance and repair, and the ability to set up laser control through timing boxes and LabVIEW control.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Quantum Engineering or other related engineering degree field with relevant focus on lasers. Advanced degrees will be considered in lieu of some years of related industry work experience.
• 8+ years: Optics modeling and development for laser systems. Experience with optical design software (ZEMAX or similar).
• 7+ years: Laser operation and engineering for one or more of the following: diode lasers, external cavity lasers, laser optical systems and components, laser spectrometers, laser diffraction and vis/NIR detectors.
• 3+ years: Design of laser systems to requirements, verification planning, and execution.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.

Special Requirements:

Work assignment is in Boulder, Colorado.

Job Locations:

Boulder, Colorado

Salary Range:

$117,894.00 - $220,126.00

For more information about this division, visit the Solar System Science & Exploration home page.

For benefits information at our San Antonio location, click here.

For benefits information at all other locations, click here.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and veteran status.