Lead Optical Engineer, High-Power Laser Systems

Directed Energy Professional Society; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Directed Energy Professional Society seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to lead design, analysis, and development of advanced optical systems for high‑power laser applications in a collaborative, ITAR‑compliant environment. You will interface with customers to ensure feasibility and guide cross‑functional teams through prototype to production stages.

The role requires expertise in micro‑optics, coherent beam combining, and phase control, with strong skills in Zemax, MATLAB, and Python.

Qualifications

• BS in Optics required; MS/PhD preferred.
• 7+ years in design, manufacture, and assembly of optical systems/optical components/micro‑optics.
• ITAR: US person required to access ITAR-controlled information.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, analysis, and development of advanced optical systems for high‑power laser applications.
• Interact with customers to assess optical design feasibility against specifications.
• Serve as optical design lead on cross‑functional projects with engineers from other disciplines.
• Source components/systems from external suppliers for prototypes and new products.
• Design optical systems, including micro‑optics, for various beam delivery configurations.
• Perform tolerance, athermal, and phase‑sensitivity analyses for military environments and CBC stability.
• Develop assembly methods for micro‑ and macro‑optical assemblies for prototypes and volume manufacturing.
• Design, configure, build, and validate optical test setups to verify performance (coherent combining efficiency, M^2, phase‑locking).
• Analyze test data and prepare reports for customers.

Skills

Micro-optics assembly

Coherent beam combining

Phase control

Interferometry basics

MATLAB

Python

Zemax

Education

BS in Optics

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

Zemax

Optical design software

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Senior Optical Engineer

Full Time Professional Tucson, AZ, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1488

Job Purpose:

The Senior Optical Engineer is responsible for leading the design, analysis, and development of advanced optical systems used in high‑power laser applications.

Duties:

• Deep foundation in physical/wave optics concepts, including Fresnel/Fraunhofer diffraction, wave propagation, interference theory, wavefront analysis, and spatial/temporal coherence. Experience with interferometric systems, adaptive optics, phase-locking, or phase noise modeling is directly applicable in lieu of direct CBC experience.
• Interact closely with customers to determine optical design feasibility against specifications, including systems requiring coherent beam combining or phase‑controlled architectures.
• Work as optical design lead on cross‑functional projects to achieve required technical feasibility. Team members may include mechanical, electronic, and industrial engineers.
• Identify and interact with external suppliers for sourcing components or systems required for prototype builds and new products, including phase modulators, and CBC‑qualified micro‑optics.
• Design optical systems, including micro‑optics, to condition laser diode beams for free‑space, fiber‑coupled, and coherently combined products.
• Perform tolerance, athermal, and phase‑sensitivity analysis of optical systems for defense‑qualified environments and coherent beam combining stability.
• Develop assembly methods for micro‑ and macro‑optical assemblies for prototype and volume manufacturing, including phase‑controlled optical paths for CBC systems.
• Design, configure, build, and validate optical test setups to confirm optical performance of products, including coherent combining efficiency, M², and phase‑locking behavior. Communicate results to project team and customers.
• Analyze test data and generate test reports for presenting to customers, including coherent combining efficiency, phase error budgets, and stability metrics.
• Work closely with optical technicians to develop precision alignment, test, and characterization methods for assembly of optical systems and subsystems, including interferometric and phase‑locking setups.
• Monitor and/or perform optical system or device characterization of new products, including coherent beam combining modules and phase‑controlled subsystems.
• Document new assembly and test processes for transferring know-how to other team members.

Desired Skills:

• Experience developing micro‑ and macro‑optical assembly methods for prototype and volume manufacturing, including phase‑controlled optical paths.
• Background designing, configuring, and validating optical test setups for high‑power laser systems, including measurements such as coherent combining efficiency, M², and phase‑locking behavior.
• Familiarity with coherent beam combining concepts and related phase‑controlled subsystems.
• Working knowledge of high‑power laser diodes, micro‑optics, illumination optics, fiber‑coupled modules, or fiber‑laser systems.
• Experience collaborating with optical suppliers and selecting materials/components for advanced optical assemblies, including polarization‑controlled micro‑optics, and other CBC‑related elements.
• Proficiency with analysis tools such as MATLAB or Python for modeling propagation, phase‑control loops, or coherent combining architectures.
• Strong knowledge of Zemax with extensive experience in sensitivity analysis, tolerancing, and athermalization for system and subsystem designs.
• Hands‑on knowledge of laser systems, optical inspection, alignment, and attachment methodologies.
• Must have good communication skills—written and presentation.

Qualifications:

• Must possess a minimum of a BS degree in Optics (MS/PhD preferred) with at least 7 years’experience.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in design, manufacture, and assembly of optical systems/optical components/micro‑optics.
• This position is located in the United States and will require use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As such, all applicants must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e., 'Green Card Holder'), Political Asylee, or Refugee.

[NOTE: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.]

Leonardo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Here are the hiring process steps and what you can expect from us:

Step 1: Application Review:

Upon submitting your application, it is made available to the recruitment team to review and ensure you meet the basic qualifications.

Step 2: Interview:

If you have been identified to move forward in the process, you may be invited to participate in a one-on-one or panel interview. The interview format can be a phone call, in-person, or virtual meeting.

Step 3: Offer:

If you reach this stage of the interview process, congratulations! You will be provided an offer to join the Leonardo Electronics US Inc. team. The offer will include details about your salary, benefits package and start date.