Senior Laser Scientist – New Product Introduction (opens in a new tab)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Fidelity 401(k) with 4% employer match

20 PTO days per year

13 paid company holidays

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

Monarch Quantum in San Diego seeks a Senior Laser Scientist, New Product Introduction, to build foundational laser platforms from concept through prototyping and early productization. You will lead optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical requirements for new laser systems and gain media, while collaborating with suppliers and leadership.

The role demands 8+ years of hands-on laser experience, a PhD in a related field (exceptional MS considered), and a startup mindset capable of thriving in

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Lead and define optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical requirements for new laser systems and semiconductor gain media.
• Drive technology trade studies and down-select architectures based on performance, manufacturability, and cost.
• Interface with suppliers to drive collaborations that produce quality laser components.
• Develop and transition laser platforms from concept through prototype to early productization.
• Author technical docs, invention disclosures, and peer‑reviewed publications as appropriate.
• Support transition of designs to production, including design for test/manufacturability.

Skills

Semiconductor laser design & physics

Semiconductor laser diodes / gainMedia

External cavity laser architectures

Fiber lasers & fiber amplifiers

Education

PhD in Physics / Electrical Engineering / Optical Engineering

Exceptional MS candidates considered

Job description

Join our fast-paced and passionate team as a Senior Laser Scientist, New Product Introduction. 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:

• Lead and define optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical requirements for new laser systems and the semiconductor gain media (e.g., laser diodes) which are implemented in these systems.
• Drive technology trade studies and down-select architectures based on performance, manufacturability, and cost.
• Interface with suppliers to drive collaborations that produce quality laser components.
• Contribute to the development of new laser platforms from concept through prototype and early productization
• 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.
• Contribute to 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)
• 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)
• Mentor senior and junior engineers; set technical direction and best practices.
• Collaborate closely with:
  • Photonics integration and packaging teams
  • Electronics and control systems engineers
  • Reliability and manufacturing engineering
• 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).
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience designing and building laser systems.

Skills:

• Expertise in at least two of the following:
  • Semiconductor laser design and physics
  • Semiconductor laser diodes / gain media and the commercial semiconductor manufacturing industry
  • External cavity laser architectures
  • Fiber lasers and fiber amplifiers
• 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)
• 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

Preferred Skills:

• Experience withsemiconductor laser diodes and laser diode manufacturing
• Experience with narrow linewidth,low‑noise, orwidely tunablelasers.

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.