Sr. Optical Engineer

ITW; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ITW seeks a Senior Optical Engineer to design, validate, and optimize high-power fiber laser systems for industrial manufacturing. You will lead optical architecture prototyping, beam shaping, and integration of laser sources into production environments with cross-functional teams including welding, manufacturing, and R&D.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years in high-power fiber laser development, strong expertise in laser safety and beam delivery, and hands-on experience with optical design

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, EE, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience with high-power fiber laser systems 1 kW to 10+ kW.
• Strong knowledge of fiber laser architectures, beam delivery, and FBGs.
• Experience with optical test equipment and laser safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate, and optimize high-power fiber laser systems.
• Lead integration of laser sources and beam delivery into manufacturing.
• Create test plans, qualification procedures, and validation protocols.
• Ensure compliance with laser safety standards and regulations.
• Analyze beam propagation, quality, and energy delivery.
• Collaborate with welding, manufacturing, and R&D teams.
• Perform optical simulations, modeling, and characterization.
• Troubleshoot system performance and implement corrective actions.

Skills

High-power lasers

Fiber laser architectures

Optical design

Beam delivery systems

SBS mitigation

Laser safety

Test & measurement

Analytical reasoning

Communication

Education

MS/PhD in Optical Engineering/Physics

Tools

Zemax

Matlab

Python

Optical simulation tools

Job description

Job Description:

We are seeking a skilled and hands-on Senior Optical Engineer to drive the design, development, validation, and optimization of next-generation, high-power fiber laser systems. In this role, you will lead optical architecture prototyping and beam-shaping initiatives. Candidates with a proven track record of applying high-power lasers to industrial materials processing (specifically laser welding) are highly preferred. However, expertise in optical engineering with the ability to develop competency in material processing will be considered.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in laser optics and beam delivery systems with hands-on experience translating laser technology into robust industrial manufacturing solutions.

This role will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including welding engineers, manufacturing engineers, product development teams, and research scientists to develop innovative laser-based solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, validate, and optimize high-power fiber laser systems and optical architectures.
• Lead integration of laser sources, beam delivery components, process heads, sensors, and automation systems into manufacturing environments.
• Develop test plans, qualification procedures, and process validation protocols.
• Ensure compliance with laser safety standards, quality requirements, and industry regulations.
• Analyze and improve laser beam propagation, beam quality, focusability, and energy delivery.
• Develop and evaluate optical systems, beam delivery components, collimators, focusing optics, scanners, and process heads.
• Support laser process development for industrial manufacturing applications.
• Perform optical simulations, modeling, testing, and characterization.
• Troubleshoot laser system performance issues and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with suppliers, customers, and internal engineering teams on laser system integration projects.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in fiber lasers, optics, photonics, and advanced manufacturing.
• Provide technical leadership and drive optical technology roadmaps for future laser platforms.

Required Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience working with high-power fiber laser systems ranging from 1 kW to 10+ kW.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Fiber laser architectures
  • Optical components and beam delivery systems, including combiners, couplers, and fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs)
  • Optical design and characterization
  • Diagnosing and mitigating high-power degradation mechanisms such as Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS), thermal lensing, mode stability, and optical fiber damage.
• Experience with optical test and measurement equipment.
• Familiarity with laser safety requirements and standards.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and experimental skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with fiber laser welding processes.
• Experience with laser process monitoring and closed-loop control.
• Experience with simulation tools such as Zemax, Matlab, Python, or equivalent.
• Understanding of beam shaping technologies and advanced laser processing techniques.
• Experience supporting production environments and manufacturing scale-up

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have a background similar to professionals who have experience in:

• Fiber laser source development
• Industrial laser processing
• Laser welding research and development
• Optical system design and characterization
• Photonics and advanced manufacturing technologies
• Candidates with demonstrated expertise in both high-power fiber lasers and laser welding applications will be strongly preferred.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.