Senior Optical Engineer

nLIGHT, Inc.; Westborough (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Stock Purchase Plan

Paid Time Off

Health benefits

Job summary

nLIGHT, Inc. is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to develop high‑power fiber amplifiers and lasers for defense and communications.

The role involves taking products from concept through prototypes to production in a fast-growing, vertically integrated R&D team onsite in the Greater-Boston area. The candidate will contribute to cross-functional design, prototype assembly, rigorous testing, and environmental qualification, reporting to Engineering leadership.

Qualifications

• BS in Physics, Optical Engineering, Material Science, or related engineering discipline; MS/PhD preferred.
• 8+ years of relevant work experience or an equivalent combination of graduate education and work experience.
• Hands-on development of fiber and/or solid-state lasers and amplifiers, optics, and/or opto-mechanical systems.
• Expertise in diffractive and non-linear optics with hands-on experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Solid theoretical and experimental understanding of lasers and optics.
• Ability to summarize and present results clearly and effectively.
• Ability to work as both a leader and contributor.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to a cross-functional team pursuing the development of novel fiber amplifier and fiber laser designs.
• Manage critical development and program tasks and take ownership of key technical areas.
• Support agile R&D to rapidly develop prototypes with hands-on assembly and testing.
• Apply theoretical and experimental understanding of lasers, non-linear and diffractive optics, and opto‑mechanical design to high-energy lasers and space fiber amplifiers.
• Play a key role in development, assembly, integration, and test of optical communication and high-energy laser systems.
• Test and characterization of complex laser-based opto-mechanical systems.
• Define requirements, interfaces, and system layouts with cross-functional teams.
• Design verification, acceptance testing, and environmental qualification strategies.
• Provide technical oversight for procurement, assembly, integration, and test of prototype and production hardware.
• Work remotely with teams at other sites including WA, OR, CO.
• Occasional travel for field trials and transferring to manufacturing; up to 15%.

Skills

Fiber/solid-state lasers

Opto‑mechanical systems

Diffractive optics

Non‑linear optics

Data analysis

Problem solving

Leadership

Technical presentation

Education

BS in Physics/Optical Engineering

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

Modeling software

Optical simulation

Job description

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 Senior Optical Engineer will support the development of advanced, high‑power, fiber amplifiers and lasers for communication and defense applications. In this position you will develop next‑generation fiber laser products in a fast‑growing, vertically integrated company while also taking products from concept phase through prototypes to product release as a core member of a small and agile interdisciplinary R&D team. 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 amplifier and fiber laser designs
• Manage critical development and program tasks and take ownership of key technical areas
• Support agile R&D to rapidly develop prototypes with hands‑on assembly and testing
• Apply theoretical and experimental understanding of lasers, non‑linear and diffractive optics, and opto‑mechanical design to the development of high energy lasers for military/defense applications and fiber amplifiers for space applications
• Play a key role in the development, assembly, integration, and test of optical communication and High Energy Laser systems
• Test and characterization of complex, laser‑based, opto‑mechanical systems
• Define requirements, interfaces, and system layouts in collaboration with cross‑functional engineering teams
• Design verification, acceptance testing, and environmental qualification strategies
• Provide technical oversight for procurement, assembly, integration, and test of prototype and production hardware
• Work remotely with teams at other sites nLIGHT including WA, OR, 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 15%.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Physics, Optical Engineering, Material Science, or a related engineering discipline required. MS or PhD Preferred
• 8+ years of relevant 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
• Expertise in diffractive and non‑linear optics with hands on experience utilizing or mitigating
• 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
• Ability to summarize and present results and conclusions clearly and effectively
• Ability to work as both a leader and contributor

Preferred Experience

• Experience designing complex opto‑mechanical systems for military or defense applications
• Fiber laser system design and modeling experience, including practical considerations such as manufacturability

nLIGHT is proud to offer comprehensive COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary level based on qualifications

Other Compensation and Benefits

• Target Cash Bonus of 6% 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 (360) 566‑4460 or [email protected].

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