Senior Laser Scientist – Architect New Laser Platforms

Monarch Quantum; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k) with 4% employer matching

20 PTO days per year

13 paid holidays

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Senior Laser Scientist for New Laser Development to help build the foundation from the ground up. This hands-on role demands a self‑starter who thrives in a fluid startup culture and collaborates with leadership to drive engineering practices that support growth.

You will architect and push multiple laser platforms, including external cavity, fiber, and semiconductor lasers, from concept to early production.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field (exceptional MS candidates considered).
• 10+ years hands‑on experience designing and building laser systems.
• Experience taking laser concepts from lab to robust prototype.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop new laser platforms from concept through prototype and early productization.
• Lead laser design across multiple architectures (external cavity, fiber, semiconductor).
• Define optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical requirements for new laser systems.
• Perform optical design and modeling; cavity design, mode control, linewidth and noise optimization.
• Design experiments to characterize linewidth, phase noise, RIN, SMSR and tuning range.
• Collaborate with photonics packaging, electronics, reliability and manufacturing teams.

Skills

External cavity lasers

Fiber lasers

Semiconductor lasers

Laser physics

Noise processes

Prototype to production

Education

PhD in Physics or Optical/Electrical Engineering

Job description

Monarch Quantum is seeking a Senior Laser Scientist for New Laser Development to help build the foundation from the ground up. This hands-on role demands a self‑starter who thrives in a fluid startup culture and collaborates with leadership to drive engineering practices that support growth.

You will architect and push multiple laser platforms, including external cavity, fiber, and semiconductor lasers, from concept to early production.