Optical Engineer

nLIGHT, Inc.; Westborough (MA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Target Cash Bonus 5%

Restricted Stock Unit grants

4 weeks paid time off

Health benefits first day

401(k) with company match

Disability & Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

nLIGHT is seeking an Optical Engineer to advance fiber amplifier and fiber laser developments for defense, aerospace, and commercial applications. You will join a small, agile engineering team contributing to R&D, prototype assembly, and testing, while expanding expertise in laser systems under the guidance of the Director of Engineering.

The role is onsite in the Greater-Boston area with opportunities to mentor, learn, and collaborate across multiple locations.

Qualifications

• BS in Physics, Optical Engineering, Material Science or related field. MS/PhD preferred.
• 3+ years of work experience or equivalent.
• Hands-on with development of fiber/solid-state lasers and amplifiers, optics, or opto-mechanical systems.
• Experience with non-linear optics.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and data‑driven approach.
• Ability to present results clearly and work as leader or contributor.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to cross-functional team developing novel fiber amplifiers and fiber laser designs.
• Support rapid R&D to prototype with hands-on lab assembly and testing.
• Collect, analyze, and document experimental data; create tests and data sets.
• Apply laser theory and opto-mechanical design to R&D projects.
• Participate in design reviews and technical discussions.
• Collaborate across nLIGHT sites including WA, OR, CO; travel up to 10%.

Skills

Fiber lasers

Opto-mechanical systems

Data analysis

Problem solving

Leadership

Laser theory

Education

BS in Physics

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

Power supplies

Signal generators

Oscilloscopes

Optical detectors

Power meters

Job description

Who We Are

At nLIGHT, we are constantly on the cutting-edge of laser technology in a massively growing market. We are a leading provider of high-power semiconductors and fiber lasers for industrial, microfabrication, and aerospace & defense applications, to name a few. Our lasers are changing not only the way things are made but also changing the things that can be made.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary

The Optical Engineer will support the development of advanced fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers for defense, aerospace, and commercial applications.

In this position you will work as part of small and agile engineering team in a fast-growing, vertically integrated company contributing to R+D, prototype assembly, and testing. You will continue to develop expertise in laser systems through mentoring and self-guided learning. This position will be onsite in the Greater-Boston area and will report to the Director of Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to a cross-functional team pursuing the development of novel fiber amplifiers and fiber laser designs.
• Support agile R&D to rapidly develop prototypes with hands-on laboratory assembly and testing including setup, alignment, troubleshooting, and characterization of optical, opto-electrical, and opto-mechanical systems.
• Accurately and repeatably collect, analyze, and document experimental data and communicate the results to the project team. Create and maintain test procedures, reports, and data sets.
• Apply existing theoretical and experimental understanding of lasers, non-linear and diffractive optics, and opto-mechanical design to the R+D projects.
• Participate in design reviews and technical discussions.
• Work with senior engineers to develop solutions to technical challenges. Collaborate with teams across other nLIGHT locations including WA, OR, and CO.
• Occasional travel to work in person with colleagues at other sites, for field trials, and to assist in transfer to manufacturing. Estimated travel up to 10%.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Physics, Optical Engineering, Material Science, or a related engineering discipline required. MS or PhD preferred.
• 3+ years of work experience, or an equivalent combination of graduate education and work experience.
• Hands on experience with development of fiber and/or solid-state lasers and amplifiers, optics, and/or opto-mechanical systems.
• Experienced with in non-linear optics.
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skills, including problem identification, data analysis, action planning, and execution
• Strong theoretical and experimental understanding of lasers and their associated optics
• Strong hands on experimental skills and familiarity with test equipment (power supplies, signal generators, oscilloscopes, optical detectors / power meters, etc.)
• Ability to summarize and present results and conclusions clearly and effectively
• Ability to work as both a leader and contributor

Preferred Experience

• Experience handling and splicing optical fibers.
• Experience writing programs, using software to analyze data, and interfacing with test equipment (fiber optical) modeling simulation.

nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary level based on qualifications

Other Compensation and Benefits

• Target Cash Bonus of 5% of earned wages
• Eligible for Restricted Stock Unit grants
• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 10 paid Holidays
• Eligible for health benefits on the 1st day of the month after your start date
• Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits, including prescription and orthodontia with employee-paid premiums as low as $40.00 per pay period
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• 401(k) with company match and immediate vesting
• Company paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Paid Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance

nLIGHT is subject to US Export Control regulations. To qualify for this position, you must be a US Person (that is, a US citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual granted asylum or refugee status).

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [phone] or [emailprotected].

E-Verify Participation

nLIGHT participates in the E-Verify program. This employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

For more information, please review the following notices:

• E-Verify Participation Poster
• Right to Work Poster