Senior Laser Scientist New Laser Development (opens in a new tab)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with 4% employer matching

20 PTO days per year

13 holidays per year

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum in San Diego, CA, is seeking a Senior Laser Scientist for New Laser Development to architect and build cutting‑edge laser platforms from concept through prototype and early productization. You will lead laser design across multiple architectures and collaborate closely with engineering and manufacturing teams in a dynamic startup environment.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD with 10+ years of hands‑on laser system experience, deep expertise in external cavity, fiber, or

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field; exceptional MS candidates considered.
• 10+ years of hands-on experience designing and building laser systems.

Responsibilities

• Architect and develop new laser platforms from concept through prototype and early productization.
• Lead laser design across multiple architectures: external cavity lasers, fiber lasers and amplifiers, semiconductor lasers.
• 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, SMSR, tuning range, power, and environmental sensitivity.
• Drive technology trade studies and down-select architectures based on performance and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with photonics integration, electronics and control systems engineers, reliability and manufacturing teams.
• Mentor engineers; author documentation and publications; support transition to production including design for test/manufacturability.

Skills

External cavity laser architectures

Fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers

Semiconductor laser design and physics

Education

PhD in Physics / Electrical Engineering / Optical Engineering

Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Laser Scientist New Laser Development. As we scale, you will be instrumental in building our foundation from the ground up. This is a dynamic, hands-on role for a self-starter who thrives in a fluid startup environment. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting edge technologies, work closely with leadership, and develop and implement engineering practices that support our mission and growth. Your key responsibilities are as follows:

• Architect and developnew laser platformsfrom concept through prototype and early productization
• Lead laser design across multiple architectures:
  • External cavity lasers(free-space and fiber-based)
  • Fiber lasers and amplifiers
  • Semiconductor lasers(DFB, DBR, FP, ECL gain chips)
• Define optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical requirements for new laser systems.
• Perform and guide:
  • Optical design and modeling
  • Cavity design, mode control, linewidth and noise optimization
  • Wavelength tuning, stabilization, and control
• Design and execute experiments to characterize:
  • Linewidth, phase noise, RIN
  • SMSR, tuning range, power, efficiency
  • Environmental sensitivity (temperature, vibration, aging)
• Drive technology trade studies and down-select architectures based on performance, manufacturability, and cost
• Collaborate closely with:
  • Photonics integration and packaging teams
  • Electronics and control systems engineers
  • Reliability and manufacturing engineering
• Mentor senior and junior engineers; set technical direction and best practices.
• Author technical documentation, invention disclosures, and peer-reviewed publications as appropriate.
• Support transition of designs to production, including design for test and design for manufacturability.

• This position requires access to export-controlled information. Employment is contingent upon the applicant being a U.S. person as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Experience:

• PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or related field (exceptional MS candidates considered).
• 10+ years of hands-on experience designing and building laser systems.

Skills:

• Deep expertise in at least two of the following:
  • External cavity laser architectures
  • Fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers
  • Semiconductor laser design and physics
• Strong understanding of:
  • Laser physics and cavity dynamics
  • Noise processes (linewidth, phase noise, RIN)
  • Thermal effects and opto-mechanical stability
• Proven experience taking laser concepts from lab demonstration to robust prototype
• Comfortable working hands-on in the lab (optical benches, fiber splicing, diagnostics)

Preferred Skills:

• Experience withnarrow linewidth,low-noise, orwidely tunablelasers.

Background in one or more application areas:

• Telecommunications
• LIDAR
• Sensing or metrology
• Quantum, atomic, or coherent optical systems

Familiarity with:

• PIC-based lasers or hybrid integration
• Control loops, frequency locking, and stabilization techniques
• Reliability, lifetime testing, and environmental qualification

• Track record of patents or high-impact publications

Startup Mindset:

• You're creative, flexible, and eager to wear multiple hats.
• You're passionate about building systems from the ground up and comfortable with ambiguity and change.

The expected annual salary range for this position is $125,000-$175,000.

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for Monarch’s comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Fidelity 401(k) plan with 4% employer matching
• 20 paid time off (PTO) days per year
• 13 paid company holidays
• 9/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

Monarch Quantum is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.