Senior Semiconductor Laser Device Engineer

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 202,500 - 256,824; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Competitive salary

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

A leading research facility is seeking a Senior Semiconductor Laser Device Engineer in Livermore, CA, to define and develop high power laser diodes. The ideal candidate will have advanced knowledge of optoelectronics and semiconductor technology, with the ability to provide technical guidance and lead projects. This role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field and the ability to obtain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance. Competitive salary and career growth opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience.
• Ability to lead interdisciplinary teams towards project objectives.
• Desire for a Master's or PhD in a relevant technical area.

Responsibilities

• Define, develop, and deploy high power laser diodes and diode arrays.
• Provide technical guidance on highly complex optical components.
• Direct activities to procure and deploy laser diode arrays.

Skills

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance

Highly advanced knowledge of laser diodes

Expert communication and collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics

Tools

Laser diode characterization software

Job description

Senior Semiconductor Laser Device Engineer

Mid-Senior Level | Full-time
Engineering | Livermore, CA | 11/25/2025
Reference #: REF7599U
Job Code: SES.4 Science & Engineering MTS 4
Organization: Engineering
Position Type: Career Indefinite
Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)
Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
Medical Exam: Not applicable Apply Now

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$202,500 - $256,824 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Senior Semiconductor Laser Device Engineer with expertise in semiconductor laser diodes. You will define, develop, and deploy high power laser diodes and diode arrays. You will have an advanced understanding of semiconductor optoelectronics, micro-optics, and thermal management to specify, design, and oversee deployment of high-power laser diode arrays and work to determine requirements, set specifications and address array technology options including thermal management and electronic drivers. You will work with LLNL team members to expand the vision for continued development of diode laser technology. This position is in the Laser Systems Engineering & Operations (LSEO) Division of the Engineering Directorate.

In this role, you will

• Operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, using in-depth analysis and subject matter expertise in highly advanced concepts, to resolve a diverse range of highly complex problems, independently determine strategies, modify approaches, and pursue actions that impact organizational operations or directions and achieve long-term goals.
• Provide technical guidance to team members, leadership and external customers on defining, developing, and deploying highly complex high-power diode laser pump arrays.
• Serve as the primary technical contact, providing input and applying highly advanced technical knowledge for high power laser diodes and optoelectronic components.
• Set broad research/project vision and strategy and influence technical direction for self and others, serving as liaison between stakeholders to align priorities, goals, and resources, and to foster collaboration.
• Direct technical activities as needed to specify, procure, evaluate, and deploy commercially available laser diode arrays on LLNL systems.
• Build and sustain strategic relationships with universities and industrial partners to conduct highly advanced research into novel approaches for enhancing laser diode technology.
• Design and direct highly complex experiments to characterize laser diode components.
• Assess novel pump laser concepts using optoelectronic, optical, and or thermal simulations.
• Provide highly advanced technical guidance, training, mentoring, and coaching to technical staff.
• Utilize highly advanced technical expertise and analytical skills to prepare, present, and explain formal and complex reports and written and verbal presentations of technical work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics or related technical field, or the equivalent combination of education and previous relevant experience.
• Highly advanced knowledge of and significant experience with current state-of-the-art laser diodes, including laser diode metrology, semiconductor device physics (gain, cavity design, heterostructure charge transport) and device reliability physics.
• Expert knowledge of and significant experience with laser diode micro-optics, optoelectronic device packaging and thermal management, and knowledge of highly complex reliability engineering principles.
• Significant experience with highly complex optoelectronic device simulation and laser diode characterization.
• Expert communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills necessary to prepare, present, and explain highly complex reports and effectively deliver highly advanced technical presentations, as well as influence and advise senior management and/or external sponsors.
• Significant experience with demonstrated ability to successfully lead and manage small, multi-disciplinary teams in achieving project objectives.
• Significant experience interacting and cooperating with all levels of technical staff, managers, and vendors.

Qualifications We Desire

• Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering or Physics. Experience with high power laser diode arrays, laser diode simulation software, laser diode current driver requirements, III-V semiconductor fabrication and materials technologies, and/or opto-electronic component packaging.
• Demonstrated experience leading a project and/or managing project budget and schedule.
• Expert knowledge of and experience with characterization of compound semiconductor optoelectronic devices and materials such as GaAs, InP, and/or GaN.
• Familiarity with the high-power laser diode industry or employment experience at an industrial manufacturer or end-user of laser diode components.
• Familiarity with compound semiconductor growth, characterization, and fabrication processes such as MOCVD, MBE, XRD, PL, ECV, AFM, SEM. Hall effect, and/or SIMS, PECVD, RIE, ICP, wet etch, photolithography, and/or evaporation.
• Experience in writing technical specifications and statements of work.

Additional Information

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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