Multi-Disciplinary Engineer I/II

IPG Defense; Huntsville (AL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Job summary

IPG Defense is seeking a hands-on Multi-Disciplinary Engineer in Huntsville, AL to rapidly design, prototype, and test hardware spanning mechanical, electrical, and software domains. You’ll work across disciplines to build test rigs, develop microcontroller-based solutions, and analyze data with Python.

The role emphasizes practical fabrication, in-house machining and 3D printing, plus field testing of high-energy laser systems. Level I or II depends on education/experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related field.
• Hands‑on electronics experience: wiring, soldering, breadboarding, test equipment usage.
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling and 3D printing.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, or data analysis.
• Experience with microcontroller platforms (Arduino, Raspberry Pi).
• A portfolio of personal/academic/professional projects.

Responsibilities

• Rapidly design, build, and iterate prototypes across mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
• Breadboard, wire, solder electronics; build cable harnesses; debug with test equipment.
• Create 3D CAD models and use in-house printers and shop tools to produce fixtures and hardware.
• Develop microcontroller-based prototypes and test rigs; integrate sensors and actuators.
• Write Python scripts for test automation, data collection, and analysis.
• Support lab integration and field testing of laser systems; troubleshoot hardware/software.

Skills

Hands-on prototyping

3D CAD modeling

Python scripting

Microcontroller platforms

Electronics debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/CS/Physics

Tools

KiCad

Eagle

Altium

SolidWorks

Job description

POSITION INFORMATION

• Department / Function: Engineering – IPG Defense
• Reports To: Chief Engineer
• Work Location: Huntsville, AL
• Employment Type: Full-time (Exempt)
• Travel: Less than 10%; occasional travel to field test sites.
• Security / Clearance: Not required; active DoD security clearance preferred.

ABOUT IPG DEFENSE

IPG Defense, a stand-alone business of IPG Photonics, was incorporated in 2026 to provide direct support for defense products. Headquartered in Huntsville, AL, IPG Defense is bringing commercial scale to laser defense systems, leveraging IPG Photonics’ 36 years of experience in fiber laser technology. Our mission: develop and deliver the most advanced, next-generation laser defense solutions for military and civilian use — systems that accurately and reliably detect, track, target, and neutralize threats.

IPG Photonics is the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance fiber lasers and amplifiers for diverse applications in numerous markets. Founded in 1990, IPG pioneered the development and commercialization of optical fiber-based lasers — a critical technology in our high-energy laser (HEL) systems, including the CROSSBOW program.

Your skills and experience will play a key role in shaping our growing organization, building our capabilities, and delivering on our mission. Join us and build a career that will shape the future of laser defense.

POSITION SUMMARY

Are you a tinkerer? A hobbyist, a maker, an Arduino builder, a ham radio operator, a 3D-printing enthusiast? Do you like to design AND build — to work with your hands and bring to life the things you help design? IPG Defense is looking for a hands-on, multi-disciplinary engineer to do exactly that.

The Multi-Disciplinary Engineer works across mechanical, electrical, and software boundaries to rapidly prototype, build, and test hardware for advanced directed-energy systems. One week you might be printing and machining a fixture, the next wiring and programming a sensor rig, the next writing Python to analyze test data. Level (I or II) will be determined by the candidate’s education and experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Rapidly design, build, and iterate prototypes spanning mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
• Breadboard, wire, and solder electronics; build cable harnesses and simple PCBs; debug with multimeters, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers.
• Create 3D CAD models and use in-house 3D printers and shop tools to produce brackets, fixtures, enclosures, and test hardware.
• Develop microcontroller-based prototypes and test rigs using platforms such as Arduino and Raspberry Pi, integrating sensors and actuators.
• Write Python scripts for test automation, instrument control, and data collection and analysis.
• Support laboratory integration and field testing of high-energy laser systems; troubleshoot across hardware and software boundaries.
• Document designs, test setups, and results; share findings across the engineering team.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related discipline (level I or II determined by education and experience).
• Hands‑on experience building electronics: wiring, soldering, breadboarding, and use of basic test equipment.
• Experience with 3D CAD modeling and 3D printing.
• Proficiency with Python for scripting, automation, or data analysis.
• Experience with microcontroller platforms such as Arduino or Raspberry Pi.
• A portfolio of things you have designed and built — personal, academic, or professional. Hobby and garage projects absolutely count, and we want to hear about them.
• Strong communication skills and eagerness to work across disciplines on a small, fast-moving team.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Active DoD security clearance.
• Amateur (ham) radio license or hands‑on RF experience.
• PCB layout experience (KiCad, Eagle, or Altium).
• SolidWorks experience.
• Robotics, maker-faire, hackathon, or engineering-competition experience (FIRST, BattleBots, SAE, etc.).
• Exposure to lasers, optics, or photonics.
• C/C++ for embedded development.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Laboratory, shop, and integration settings; occasional field testing.
• Use of PPE including laser-safety eyewear; occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.

WHY JOIN IPG DEFENSE

• Work at the forefront of directed-energy and photonics innovation on systems that matter to national security.
• Vertically integrated technology: we design and build our own lasers, giving engineers end-to-end ownership from component to fielded system.
• Small, expert, fast-moving team in Huntsville, AL — one of the nation’s fastest-growing aerospace and defense hubs.
• Career growth through hands‑on work across the full product lifecycle: concept, prototype, integration, field test, and production.
• Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package — see Compensation & Benefits below.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Benefits Provided: All Regular US employees receive:

• Paid vacation time accrued based on years of service
• Paid sick time
• 12 (twelve) Paid Holidays Each Calendar Year

Additional Benefits Offered: IPG also offers access to:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans with options for HSA/FSA
• Dependent Care FSA
• Paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with Company matching
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Adoption Assistance
• Pet Insurance
• Parental Bonding Leave
• Bright Horizons Backup Care
• Bright Horizons College Coach

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

IPG Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.